Street roots., January 16, 2015, Page 6, Image 6

Street Roots • January 16-22, 2015
Blood Gas
b y M ik e V a n c e
Alone and cold
Gear tucked behind your legs
Beat down from another day of shit
Eyes closed in apprehension
Hours go by
You lay silent
The dagger tears through your flesh
Over and over
You gasp for air in vain
A lake of red engulfs what was your life
And now another screaming ghost
Haunts the ether
In quest for revenge
STREET RO O TS PHO TO
Answers to puzzles on page 15
Health care and homelessness
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eligibility to those with incomes at 138 percent of th é federal I
poverty level, including nearly all homeless adults without
dependents and those not currently eligible for Medicare. As a
result, more than a quarter of all residents in Multnomah County —
including nearly all individuals experiencing homelessness —are
now eligible for Oregon Health Plan coverage.
The report concludes, among other things, that homeless health
care issues are housing issues, and that over the next five to 10
years, local government and organizations should invest in
supportive housing, which includes onsite, comprehensive,
integrated rehabilitation and health services. More urgently,
however, the committee concluded that over the next two years, the
government should advocate strongly for housing status as a health
determinant.
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treet Roots vendor and board member Leo Rhodes (shown far
right above) speaks during the City Club of Portland Friday
Forum, Jan. 9. This month, City Club released a research
report that lays out a set of recommendations to strengthen the
implementation of health care reform for people who are homeless
through streamlined efforts between coordinated care organizations,
service providers and local governments.
Rhodes was one of a committee of City Club member-volunteers
who interviewed public officials, homeless advocates, health care
administrators, persons experiencing homelessness, county
employees, coordinated care workers and academic researchers.
Rhodes spoke to his own personal experiences being a homeless
man and trying to secure health care, and maintaining a stable
health routine once in housing.
In January 2014, the Affordable Care Act expanded Medicaid
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Position Opening:
Executive Director
JOIN provides critical services
and dignity to our homeless
neighbors. You can help us
continue our 22-year legacy of
social justice and advocacy for
people experiencing homeless­
ness by joining our diverse and
close-knit team.
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;.» »»
To apply visit www.joinpdx.org
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