The latest news stories of interest in the Rogue Valley and the state of Oregon from the digital home of Southern Oregon, Wynne Broadcasting’s RogueValleyMagazine.com

Friday,  November 8, 2024

Rogue Valley Weather

As Oregon heads into the back side of fall, what does the weather have in store?

The signs are still pointing towards a weak La Niña winter, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and snow is already falling in the mountains while rain soaks the valleys. La Niña was favored to emerge between September and November, said Marissa Anderson, a spokesperson for NOAA. Of course, it is already November, but Anderson said there was still a 60% chance of the pattern emerging and it was expected to persist from January to March.

For November, NOAA is predicting equal chances that the entire state of Oregon has above-normal, near-normal and below-normal temperatures. Basically, temperature-wise, that means anything could happen. And, with a weak La Niña, that “anything” could also change more frequently. As far as precipitation, most of the state is favored to have above-average levels of rain, snow and everything in between.

For 2025, we are likely to start off wet but not too wet in the first week, then maybe a small break, before returning to wet conditions, especially the northern half of the state.

Central Point Police Department conducting major crimes investigation this morning after an incident along Bush Street left one person dead and another in the hospital.

A suspect is in custody.

CPPD is investigating two scenes along Bush Street including a silver Honda.

Central Point Elementary School was placed on a temporary lockdown around 7:30. CPPD has confirmed there is no threat to the school and lifted the lockdown.

Police state they will release more information later.

Update – Medford Police Investigate Shooting on Bullock Rd.
Update MPD Case 24-17581 – 11/7/24 at 8am

Jackson County Public Health Issues Overdose Alert for Fentanyl

According to a news release from Jackson County Public Health, there was an increase in medical service responses, emergency department admissions and suspected fatal overdoses between Oct. 27 and Nov. 2.

“Illicitly manufactured fentanyl can be sold as counterfeit pills, such as oxycontin, or in a powder form, which can look like other drugs, such as cocaine and methamphetamine,” the release said. “Fentanyl can also be mixed with other illicit opioids, such as heroin. The increased presence of fentanyl in the drug supply increases the risk of poisoning or overdosing for people who are experimenting with drugs, who use recreationally and not intentionally using fentanyl.”

Health officials say the best step to protect yourself is to abstain from illicit opioids altogether.

“There is no safe way to use illicit opioids, such as fentanyl, but there are steps that can be taken to help reduce the risk of overdosing,” the release said. “The street drug supply is unpredictable and inconsistent. Assume there is a risk of drug poisoning or overdosing no matter what drug is used.”

Authorities also urge residents to call 911 when someone is overdosing.

“The Good Samaritan Law protects someone from being arrested or prosecuted for drug-related charges or parole/probation violations based on information provided to emergency responders,” the release said.

Residents can also use drug testing strips to test their drug supply for fentanyl, the release said. Fentanyl test strips are available through Jackson County’s Syringe Exchange Programs.

Those who do use opioids should have an overdose plan, the release said, making sure someone can get to them. If they are alone, they can use the 24/7 Never Use Alone Hotline at 1-877-696-1996.

Finally, they recommend carrying naloxone with you. According to the release, naloxone is available over the counter at most pharmacies and is also available through Max’s Mission and HIV Alliance.

For locations closest to you that have naloxone, click here.

For help with drug addiction, call SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357). This hotline is free, confidential, and available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. You can also find a list of resources here. 

MORE INFO: https://jacksoncountyor.gov/news_detail_T10_R433.php#:~:text=Fentanyl%20test%20strips%20are%20available,a%20safe%20person%20with%20you.

Discover incredible finds at the upcoming @Southern Oregon Flea Market a Market on SATURDAY, November 9, 2024!

Engage in a unique shopping adventure from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm. Admission is just $1, and children under 12 enter for free! Browse through a diverse selection of goods from more than 100 vendors, featuring furniture, electronics, apparel, jewelry, tools, and artisanal crafts. The Southern Oregon Flea Market offers a little something for everyone.

Marine Board Seeks Written Public Comments on Proposed Upper Rogue River Rules

Got rubber you no longer need? Bounce down to Chevron station in Cave Junction starting at 9 AM on Saturday, November 9, and dispose of unwanted tires for free!

Exceptions: No dump truck, semi, or tractor tires, and no split rims, please. The event will end at noon, or when the trailers are full, whichever comes first. The Josephine County Solid Waste Agency funds the project. For more information, please call 541-294-0260.

Oregon Caves Chevron: 409 Redwood Hwy, Cave Junction, OR 97523

Child Sexual Predator Eluded Capture in Idaho, Has Ties to Southern Oregon, He May Be Dressed as a Woman

– A fugitive with ties to the southern Oregon region is on-the-run after eluding capture Tuesday, October 22 in Idaho. Christian Bert Fischer, 42, is wanted in Florida for Traveling to Meet a Minor After Use of a Computer to Lure a Child.

Fischer is a white male, 5’10”, 200 lbs., has blonde hair and blue-colored eyes. He is also known to dress like a woman. Before heading to Idaho, Fischer was in the Portland area. This June and July, he was in Ashland, Lake of the Woods, and Wolf Creek.

U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) task forces throughout the country have joined the search, including the local Pacific Northwest Violent Offender Task Force (PNVOTF). If you have any information on Fischer’s whereabouts, contact the local USMS office at (541) 776-4277, the USMS Communication Center at 1-800-336-0102, or USMS Tips at www.usmarshals.gov/tips.

PNVOTF includes personnel from the U.S. Marshals, Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, and Central Point Police Department. The task force specializes in locating and arresting fugitives wanted for offenses including, but not limited to, murder, assault, sex crimes, failure to register as a sex offender, firearm violations, and probation violations.

Did you get help from FEMA, insurance, or others after the 2020 Almeda and South Obenchain Fires?

You can schedule an appointment directly with our Intake Specialists through our website  https://firebrandcollective.org/harp/

Visita la página de HARP en nuestro sitio web para pedir cita hoy mismo.

 firebrandcollective.org/harp/

Rogue Valley Humane Society  · Donations Always Needed to Help Community

Our Community Food Bank exists to help folks who need an extra helping hand during a difficult month to feed their pets. Our program has a limited budget and so we rely on generous members of our community to donate some of these goods to continue to help assist our community.

In 2023 we fed an average of 700 pets a month! This equates to approximately 70 – 40lb bags of food each month!  Many pets have benefited from the community’s generosity, and we can’t thank you enough for your kindness.

David Grubbs’ Murder Investigation Remains Active

 The Ashland Police Department’s investigation into the murder of David Grubbs on November 19, 2011 remains open and active. Recently two new detectives have been assigned to look into new leads that have come in.

It has been more than Four Years since Fauna Frey, 45, disappeared in Oregon on a road trip, June 29, 2020, following her brother’s death

PART 2 – Newsweek Podcast Focusing on The Disappearance of Fauna Frey From Lane County

Here One Minute, Gone the Next —– PART 2 – Josephine County Sheriff Dave Daniel joins investigative journalist Alex Rogue to speak with Here One Minute, Gone the Next about the disappearance of Fauna Frey, the growing friction between citizen investigators and law enforcement, and the lack of resources in missing persons cases. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-disappearance-of-fauna-frey-pt2-feat-sheriff/id1707094441?i=1000630100040 PART 1 – John Frey joins Newsweek to discuss exclusive details about the case of his missing daughter that until now have been unavailable to the general public. READ MORE HERE: https://www.newsweek.com/exclusive-what-happened-fauna-frey-new-clues-uncovered-1827197?fbclid=IwAR3Z3Glru5lIgqiYXbs_nA1Fj8JuCIzM11OHSVHfwIucfq2f_G5y9y5bnmQ If you have any information on the whereabouts of Fauna Frey, call the anonymous tip line at 541-539-5638 or email FindFaunaFrey@gmail.com.   —-     Help Find Fauna Frey #FindFaunaFrey FACEBOOK GROUP

Governor Tina Kotek is calling for peaceful demonstrations, if people want to express their opinion about the election.

In a statement, Kotek said she’ll have zero tolerance for actions that threaten and terrorize others. She says Oregonians will stand together as a shield against any attempt to undermine fundamental freedoms.

Election Results: https://results.oregonvotes.gov

In election news, Oregonians will stick with winner-takes-all elections for federal and statewide offices, after the state’s voters rejected Measure 117 Tuesday. Incomplete returns as of 6:45 a.m. Wednesday showed 60% of voters opposing the measure and 40% supporting it.

The ballot measure would have required officials to put ranked-choice voting into place by 2028 for elections for president, Congress, governor, secretary of state, attorney general, treasurer and labor commissioner. It would have also allowed cities and counties to implement the voting system for local elections and required the Secretary of State’s Office to create a voter education program for the new system.

Under the ranked-choice system the measure would institute, voters rank candidates on their ballot in order of preference. If no candidate receives more than half of the first-place votes, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated. The votes for that candidate are then redistributed to the remaining candidates based on the voters’ subsequent preferences. This process continues until one candidate receives a majority of the votes.

Voters on Tuesday rejected a ballot measure that would have raised corporate taxes to give all Oregon residents an estimated $1,600 per year.

Voters were against the measure 79% to 21% in partial returns as of 9:30 a.m. Wednesday. Measure 118 would have implemented a 3% tax on most corporations’ total sales in Oregon above $25 million and distributed the revenue equally among all residents through direct cash payments or refundable tax credits starting in 2025. The measure would have established the nation’s largest universal basic income program.

Measure 119, which would ease the way for cannabis workers to form unions, passed on Tuesday, leading 55%-45%.

The measure will require cannabis businesses to enter “labor peace agreements,” promising to stay neutral when union organizers communicate with their workers. After lawmakers declined to pass a similar law last year, union representatives brought the measure to voters, arguing the agreements were needed because of uncertainty over how federal labor law applies to cannabis workers. While the measure faced no organized opposition, business interests and attorneys for the Legislature previously argued that the agreements could conflict with federal labor laws.

Oregon lawmakers will continue to set their own salaries and those of the governor, secretary of state and certain other elected officials after voters rejected a measure that would have assigned the responsibility to an independent commission.

The measure was failing 53% to 47% in partial returns as of Thursday morning, leaving no plausible path for the outcome to change.  Measure 116’s defeat marks a blow for many lawmakers, unions and progressive groups, which have said for years that the low salaries for Oregon lawmakers and other elected officials discourage young and less affluent individuals from running for office.

Lawmakers currently earn about $35,000 per year, plus $157 daily stipends during legislative sessions. Other statewide elected officials earn some of the lowest salaries for their offices in the nation. Oregon’s governor makes $98,600, its attorney general earns $82,220 and its secretary of state, treasurer and labor commissioner receive $77,000.

Voters in more than a dozen Oregon cities, including in the Portland area, voted to ban the regulated sales and use of psilocybin mushrooms.

Anti-psilocybin measures were on the ballots in 16 cities and unincorporated Clackamas County, and are passing in coastal communities to urban Portland and central and southern Oregon by 55% to 70% of the vote.

Bans against psilocybin businesses are passing in Brookings, Rogue River, Sutherlin, Redmond, Lebanon, Jefferson, Sheridan, Amity, Hubbard, Mount Angel, Estacada, Oregon City, Lake Oswego, Seaside and Warrenton. Redmond’s measure would enact a two-year moratorium on psilocybin businesses. Comment was not immediately available from psilocybin opponents. Supporters of the drug expressed disappointment with the results Wednesday.

Administrator at UO Placed on Leave After Posting Offensive Reaction to Presidential Election

An administrator at the University of Oregon is on leave after posting an offensive reaction to the 2024 presidential election.

Leonard Serrato, the Ducks’ fraternity and sorority life assistant director, posted an expletive-filled rant mocking supporters of President-elect Donald Trump on his public Instagram page, the Daily Emerald reported on Wednesday.

Belted into the seat of his car,  the unhinged Serrato ended the video by flashing a peace sign and suggesting Trump’s supporters: “go jump off a bridge,” with an added expletive. Serrato’s social media page is now private, but the video has been reposted and is making the rounds elsewhere.

Among those reacting with a comment was the president’s son, Donald Trump Jr. Sharing his expletive-filled comments on social media shows the Trump derailment syndrome hatred that continues in this country and could end up costing Serrato his position at UO.

Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs to Host Statewide Veterans Day Ceremony at Oregon State Capitol Park

The Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs will honor all veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces during its Statewide Veterans Day Ceremony at 11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 11, in view of the Oregon State Capitol Building.

This event will feature remarks by dignitaries and special guests along with ceremonial elements including a color guard, singing of the national anthem, a wreath laying and the playing of “Taps.”

The celebration will honor Oregon veterans of all eras and will be hosted at the Oregon State Capitol State Park located on Court Street Northeast in Salem — directly in front of the main entrance of the Oregon State Capitol Building.

The event is open to the public and uncovered seating will be provided for attendees. Accessible pathways and seating areas for those needing accommodations will also be provided. Attendees are reminded to plan accordingly for Oregon weather.

For those unable to attend, the event will also be livestreamed on ODVA’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/odvavet. If you have any questions about this event, please contact ODVA at (800) 692-9666 or visit www.oregon.gov/odva.

Oregon Housing and Community Services invests $165 million to build 550+ affordable homes across Oregon

— On Friday, the Oregon Housing Stability Council approved a significant $165 million investment to help address the affordable housing crisis. This funding will support the construction of eight new housing developments, delivering more than 550 affordable homes to communities statewide. These projects will include 465 new rental homes, 87 homes for low-income homebuyers, and offer rental assistance and support services for residents at The Commons on MLK in Eugene.

“We know there is more work to do, yet these gains show what’s possible when we work together,” said OHCS Executive Director Andrea Bell. “With each new home, we are building a brighter future for the state we love. A future where families won’t be forced to move multiple times in a school year to find an affordable place to live. A future where progress is driven by the community and supported by the state. A future where we bridge the gap between our current reality and our potential, making life better for all Oregonians.”

Development details:

Rental

Homeownership

These developments address a critical need for affordable housing and community resources. Many of the rental developments will include spaces for resident services, such as community rooms, playgrounds, and on-site programs. For example, Colonia Libertad II in Salem will offer after-school programs and financial literacy workshops to support agricultural workers and their families.

Homeownership developments, such as Thompson Springs in Tillamook, are designed with affordability and inclusivity in mind. Thompson Springs will incorporate universal design features to meet the needs of individuals with intellectual, developmental, and other disabilities.

About Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS)

OHCS is Oregon’s housing finance agency. The state agency provides financial and program support to create and preserve opportunities for quality, affordable housing for Oregonians of low and moderate income. OHCS administers programs that provide housing stabilization. OHCS delivers these programs primarily through grants, contracts, and loan agreements with local partners and community-based providers. For more information, please visit: oregon.gov/ohcs.

After Decades of Growth, Oregon’s Population Is Shrinking. A Top Economist Examines Why.

Economist Mark McMullen produced a snapshot of Oregon last week that could make readers fear the state is in the kind of decline Rust Belt states such as Ohio and Michigan have endured. Seen from another angle, the same report could leave you feeling pleasantly surprised.

McMullen’s report drew on new U.S. census data and found big shifts. “Since 2020, the state has witnessed profound changes in its demographic dynamics,” the report says. “Although migrants continue to be drawn to the state, some residents are leaving and the birth rate has been very low, leading to small population losses.”

Source: After Decades of Growth, Oregon’s Population Is Shrinking. A Top Economist Examines Why.

Prosecutors in southern Oregon unveiled felony charges against two women accused of forging a will to steal a roughly $2 million estate

The charges against Renee Pereira and her daughter, Kristine Pereira, include attempted aggravated theft, identify theft, forgery, and computer crimes. Both pleaded not guilty in court appearances late last month.

A prior KATU investigation found how difficult it can be to stop an invalid will from taking effect in Oregon.

Kristy Gerlett – the daughter of the woman who died in this case – has been fighting for more than a year and pushing investigators to charge the women she believed forged her mom’s signature on a will. The will disinherited Kristy.

The indictments accuse the women of forging the notary’s signature and seal, the signatures of two witnesses, and the signature of Cathy Gerlett on the will. It says they did so to steal Cathy’s estate. The alleged forged will gave 80% of Cathy’s estate to Kristine Pereira.

“Out of the 8 billion people on this planet, only one benefited from it. One. And it just so happens that her mom was the one that turned it in,” Kristy said.

A prior KATU investigation found it was up to Renee Pereira to vet the will in question. Court records show she filed it in probate court in April 2023. The judge initially accepted it and allowed it to go into effect. The same judge threw it out in September 2023.

Klamath County District attorney David Schutt said the suspects preyed on the death of a loved on and did so to steal a $2 million estate.

“This involved a premeditated and coordinated effort of the defendant and her mother to steal a vast sum of money – an estate valued in excess of $2 million dollars, and in so doing disinherited a biological daughter which is Ms. Gerlett. They preyed on the circumstances surrounding the death of a loved one to get this done,” Schutt said at Kristine Pereira’s arraignment.

Now, Kristy wants more done – including additional criminal charges over the use of her mom’s credit card account after she died. The charges included two $1,000 purchases at Fred Meyer. Kristy said she got receipts from Fred Meyer showing the purchases included 4, $500 Visa gift cards.

There are also hotel stays and a trip to a casino. Kristine Pereira admitted to staying at the hotels and the casino in testimony for the probate case over Cathy’s estate but denied knowing who made the charges.

An attorney for the personal representative of the estate said her excuses are not believable.

“It’s just not credible that Ms. Pereira could be receiving such a great benefit after the death of Cathy Gerlett and not have any knowledge as to how those charges were actually made,” attorney Clark Rasche said in a court hearing on the case.– as first highlighted in a KATU news investigation.

Oregon Forestry second-in-command fired over ‘drama filled and volatile’ relationship with subordinate

The second highest-ranking official at the state Department of Forestry was fired last week after an investigation determined he had a sexual relationship with a subordinate for about two years, records released Monday by the the agency show.

Deputy Forester Mike Shaw had been on paid administrative leave since Aug. 6. His last day with the department was Thursday, according to his termination letter. Shaw was paid an annual salary of $192,288.

Oregon begins rollout of new housing benefits for eligible OHP members with health conditions

SALEM, Ore. – Starting today, Oregon Health Plan (OHP) members with specific health conditions may qualify for new, first-in-the-nation benefits to keep their current housing and access other housing services.

The housing benefits include rent assistance for up to six months, utility set-up and payments for up to six months, home modifications and upgrades for health or safety reasons (e.g., grab bars, ramp installation, pest control), and rental navigation services. Unlike other state and local prevention services, eligible members can request these benefits ahead of receiving an eviction notice.

Not all OHP members will qualify for these new benefits. To qualify, OHP members must meet specific requirements, including at least one of the following health conditions: a complex physical or behavioral health condition; a developmental or intellectual disability; difficulty with self-care and daily activities; experience of abuse or neglect; be 65 years of age or older; be under the age of six; currently pregnant or gave birth in the past 12 months; or repeated use of emergency room or crisis services.

OHA Director Dr. Sejal Hathi, MD, MBA, said, “Oregon’s health inequities are inextricably linked to our state’s housing crisis. Individuals and families who become homeless face a significantly higher risk of mortality and higher rates of behavioral and physical health conditions – even as they report poorer access to care. These Medicaid benefits can help stop that cycle and, in a model for the rest of the country, make it possible for Oregonians to maintain their current housing, connect with providers and access additional resources that support their well-being.”

Oregon received permission from the federal government to test whether and how addressing health-related social needs improves health outcomes. While other states have launched similar benefits, Oregon is the first in the nation to roll out rent assistance as a statewide Medicaid benefit for eligible OHP members.

“Housing plays a pivotal role in our physical and mental wellbeing. And yet, so many of our neighbors are living paycheck to paycheck, where an unexpected issue can lead to a loss of income and loss of a home,” said Emma Sandoe, Medicaid Director at Oregon Health Authority. “These benefits are one more tool to keep Oregonians housed during short-term disruptions and prevent negative health outcomes of homelessness.”

Of renters across Oregon, 22% have extremely low income, with $30,560 being the average income limit for a four-person household. Adults living with housing insecurity, including threat of eviction, are 19% more likely to lack access to a primary care provider and 35% more likely to postpone preventative health care even if they have chronic health conditions. Evictions and loss of housing can lead to negative health outcomes including:

• Increasing an individual’s risk for physical and mental health conditions
• Making an individual’s existing health condition worse
• Creating barriers to accessing medical care, medications and food

“Housing is a critical driver of health outcomes, significantly impacting social mobility and economic opportunity,” said Oregon Housing and Community Services Executive Director, Andrea Bell. “Stable housing serves as a catalyst for expanding access to preventive care, while reducing the monumental costs associated with emergency care. This is what transformative, integrated care looks like.”

Starting this month, housing providers are contracted to begin connecting with eligible members and delivering these new benefits across the state. Housing benefit applications may take up to two weeks to be reviewed. If approved, additional time may be needed to provide the benefit. These turnaround timeframes will depend on the capacities of individual CCOs and housing service providers as well as the volume of housing applications received. OHA is working closely with CCOs to continue to expand the network over the next year.

Fostering healthy families and environments is one of the five pillars to achieving OHA’s strategic goal of eliminating health inequities in Oregon by 2030. The housing benefits are one of several new health-related social needs benefits Oregon is piloting to meet this goal. In March, the state launched climate benefits including air conditioners, air filters and other equipment to keep eligible members healthy amid extreme weather events. Nutrition benefits will be available for eligible OHP members starting in January 2025.

OHP members interested in receiving housing benefits can work with their health plan (coordinated care organization or Open Card), health care provider or a local OHP community partner to see if they qualify and apply.

OHP members should contact their coordinated care organization (CCO) to learn more. OHP Open Card members can call 1-888-834-4304 or email ORHRSN@acentra.com. If an OHP member is not sure which plan or CCO they are in, they can call the OHA Client Services Unit at 1-800-273-0557 or email Ask.OHP@odhsoha.oregon.gov.

For OHP members who are currently unhoused, resources may be available through 211.

For more information about these benefits, visit the OHP housing benefits web page.

Groundbreaking Dedication Event for Vietnam Veterans Memorial at Oregon State Capitol- Friday, November 22, 2024 | 2:00 p.m.

The Oregon State Capitol will be the site of the highly anticipated dedication ceremony for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial on Friday, November 22, at 2:00 p.m. This momentous event will be the formal dedication of Phase 1 of the memorial, which honors the service and sacrifice of Oregon’s Vietnam veterans. The public ceremony will occur at Salem’s Willson Park memorial site on the Capitol grounds, at the corner of State and Cottage Street, with a reception to follow at the nearby Withnell Family YMCA.

The memorial pays tribute to 710 Oregonians who lost their lives in the Vietnam War, along with the more than 180,000 Oregonians who served in Vietnam and around the world from 1955-1975. The design features 46 black granite columns engraved with the names of those who made the ultimate sacrifice. It creates a reflective space for veterans, families, and the public to honor their memory.

The event will include comments from local veterans, state officials, and Vietnam War Memorial Fund members, who have been instrumental in making this project a reality. The event is hosted by the Oregon Vietnam War Memorial Fund and is supported by a grant of Transient Occupancy Tax from the City of Salem.

The Importance of the Memorial – The Vietnam War remains one of the most challenging and divisive periods in American history. Veterans returning from the conflict were often met with indifference or hostility, making this memorial an overdue recognition of their service. The memorial offers a space for healing and remembrance, honoring both the sacrifices of the fallen and the resilience of those who served. Steve Bates, President and co-founder of the Vietnam War Memorial Fund (VWMF), emphasized the emotional impact of this project. “This is about giving our veterans a place of rest and, for all of us, a place to heal,” Bates said. The memorial will not only commemorate the service of Vietnam veterans but also serve as a reminder of the war’s lasting impact on the state and its people.

Beyond its role as a place of remembrance, the memorial will also serve as an educational resource when Phase 2 is completed. Phase 2, the Exhibit Phase, aims to help future generations understand the human cost of war and the bravery of those who fought.

For more information, see a virtual tour or donate, visit ocvvm.com.

About the VWMF: Vietnam War Memorial Fund’s website at www.ocvvm.com. The Vietnam War Memorial Fund is a recognized 501(c)3 organization, and all donations are tax-deductible to the extent of applicable tax law. You can donate by sending a check to the Vietnam War Memorial Fund – P O Box 1448 – Boring, Oregon 97009 or by credit card at www.ocvvm.com.

Oregon Aging and People with Disabilities offers free help for Medicare Open Enrollment

(Salem) — Medicare Open Enrollment for the 2025 plan year begins Oct. 15 and remains open through Dec. 7, 2024. Medicare beneficiaries seeking to compare or change their existing Medicare plan can receive free help from the Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS).

During the Medicare Open Enrollment period, people with Medicare can make changes to their health plan or prescription drug plan, pick a Medicare Advantage plan or choose Original Medicare. The ODHS Office of Aging and People with Disabilities’ (APD) Senior Health Insurance Benefits Assistance (SHIBA) program is available to help Oregonians understand their Medicare options and benefits, provide enrollment guidance and help people detect and avoid Medicare scams. Additionally, there are some key changes coming to Medicare in 2025 that APD’s SHIBA program counselors can assist people in understanding including:

• The new Manufacturer Discount Program which addresses the coverage gap, also known as the “donut hole;”
• The lower maximum to pay for covered drugs. The maximum amount for 2025 will be $2,000;
• Coverage for weight loss drugs when doctors prescribe them for people who meet certain conditions;
• Expanded coverage for family caregiver services through the Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience (GUIDE) model; and
• Increased access to mental health services by allowing more providers to bill Medicare for services.

“Our APD SHIBA team is devoted to helping people prepare for open enrollment and understand changes,” said Jane-ellen Weidanz, who oversees SHIBA as APD Deputy Director of Policy.

Oregonians who need help navigating Medicare open enrollment are encouraged to call SHIBA at 800-722-4134 (toll-free) or learn more by visiting the SHIBA website at SHIBA.Oregon.gov. The 2025 Oregon Guide to Medicare Insurance Plans will be available on the SHIBA website in the coming days and will be translated to multiple languages.

SHIBA certified counselors can also help people report scams to Medicare and educate people on how to avoid Medicare scams or fraud. According to the Senior Medicare Patrol, common scams include promising free durable medical equipment, such as knee braces and catheters, or offers of free genetic testing. The ultimate goal for the scammer is to get the beneficiary’s Medicare number to commit Medicare billing fraud. “SHIBA counselors are committed to ensuring Oregonians have the information they need to avoid becoming victims of fraud and report scams or suspected Medicare fraud,” said APD Director Dr. Nakeshia Knight-Coyle.

Help from SHIBA is available over the phone and through virtual and in-person appointments. Because high call volume during Open Enrollment may result in longer than usual wait times, Oregonians are also encouraged to access free resources on the SHIBA website such as Medicare frequently asked questions, an agent locator tool, a list of free virtual and in-person Medicare presentations and videos to help people understand their Medicare options. People who need Medicare help in a language other than English, including sign language, can call 833-685-0841 or send an email to odhs.languageaccess@odhsoha.oregon.gov; after placing a request, a translator will reach out in the requestor’s preferred language to provide assistance in communicating with SHIBA.

About the Oregon Department of Human Services – The mission of the Oregon Department of Human Services is to help Oregonians in their own communities achieve wellbeing and independence through opportunities that protect, empower, respect choice and preserve dignity.

About the Senior Health Insurance Benefits Assistance program – The Senior Health Insurance Benefits Assistance (SHIBA) program is part of the ODHS Office of Aging and People with Disabilities. It is a statewide network of certified counselors volunteering in their community to help all Oregonians make educated Medicare decisions. SHIBA offers free, objective, confidential and local one-on-one health insurance counseling and assistance to people with Medicare and their families.

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