October 2024 Update

Open Enrollment begins November 1st!

Open Enrollment is a crucial period for securing or updating health insurance coverage. During this time, individuals and families can choose from a variety of plans that offer different levels of coverage and costs. By enrolling during open enrollment, you can avoid potential penalties, protect yourself against unexpected medical expenses, and gain peace of mind. Additionally, you may be eligible for assistance to help lower your premiums.

It's essential to stay informed about the specific dates and rules for open enrollment in your area to ensure you have the coverage you need. Book a meeting with our Insurance Enrollment team today!

Key Dates:

• November 1: Open Enrollment starts — first day you can enroll in, renew, or change health plans through the Marketplace for the coming year. Coverage can start as soon as January 1.
• December 15: Last day to enroll in or change plans for coverage to start January 1.
• January 1: Coverage starts for those who enroll in or change plans by December 15 and pay their first premium.
• January 15: Open Enrollment ends — last day to enroll in or change Marketplace health plans for the year. After this date, you can enroll in or change plans only if you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period.
• February 1: Coverage starts for those who enroll in or change plans December 16 through January 15 and pay their first premium.

The Willamette Week Give!Guide is a yearly campaign that aims to raise funds for local nonprofits in Portland, Oregon. Again, this year Project Access NOW will participate alongside other nonprofits in the "health" category. Look for us starting November 1st at giveguide.org.

Mark's data corner

Meet Mark, Project Access NOW's Reporting and Data Analyst. Each month, Mark will be sharing the most interesting piece of data he came across that month.

Project Access NOW provides rent assistance support to communities in need. By providing financial support for rent, rent assistance programs can prevent people from becoming homeless or being evicted from their homes. This helps to maintain housing stability and reduces the strain on homeless shelters and other social services.

Overall, rent assistance programs can have a significant positive impact on individuals, families, and communities.

Rental Assistance Support

Project Access NOW welcomes a new Enrollment Manager

Please join us in congratulating Ranisha Isom as she has accepted the offer to become the new Insurance Enrollment & Payment Support Program Manager!



Ranisha began her time with Project Access NOW eight years ago as an Enrollment Assister. Since then, she has gained and exhibited a tremendous amount of knowledge and expertise regarding everything insurance enrollment. She has also supported the team and organization through numerous transitions and continuously champions the skills of an excellent leader who is committed to the success of her team and clients. Additionally, she supports our organization through her role within committees and workgroups such as the Racial Equity Committee and the Communities of Practice Workgroup.



Congrats again, Ranisha! We are so happy to be able to offer this promotion to someone within our very own team and are sure you will do amazing things within this role!

PANOW service offerings

We’re proud to share that Project Access NOW is expanding our services to provide comprehensive support for low-income individuals. From nutritious meals to reliable transportation, we’re addressing the everyday challenges faced by those in our community.

Beyond basic needs, we also connect individuals with rental assistance to help people maintain stable housing, medication assistance to ensure access to necessary treatments, utility assistance to prevent disconnection, and much much more.



By partnering with hospitals and CCOs, we’re helping people improve their overall health and well-being. Together, we can create a community where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

Voter registration

Voting is a fundamental pillar of democracy, empowering citizens to shape their government and society.

Oregon offers online voter registration. You can register by mail to vote in Oregon by printing a voter registration form, filling it out, and mailing it to your local election office. You can also register to vote in person if you prefer.

Registration deadlines

• In-person at local election office : Oct 15 close of business
• Online : Oct 15 by 11:59 p.m. PDT
• By mail (postmarked by) : Oct 15

Voting deadlines

• Return ballot by mail (postmarked by) : Nov 5 by 8:00 p.m. PST
• Return ballot in person : Nov 5 by 8:00 p.m. PST
• Oregon sends ballots to actively registered voters : Oct 16 - Oct 22

Learn more and check your registration status here.

Advocacy at Project Access NOW

Did you know that PANOW team members serve on a variety of health-related legislative and government committees on behalf of the organization? In addition to direct service to the community, advocating for systemic change is an integral component of PANOW's mission.

At Project Access NOW, staff serve on the following committees:

• Health Information Technology Oversight Council (HITOC) for the Oregon Health Authority
• Health Insurance Marketplace Advisory Committee
• Oregon’s Sustainable Health Care Cost Growth Target Advisory Committee
• OHP Bridge Advisory Committee
• Oregon Health Policy Board
• Universal Health Plan Governance Board, Plan Design and Expenditures Subcommittee

Do you have a committee or coalition that could benefit from PANOW representation? Email Advocacy Manager Peter at peter.merritt@projectaccessnow.org.

Sincerely,

Carly Hood-Ronick, MPA, MPH

President and CEO

Comuníquese con nosotros si desea más idiomas.  

Vui lòng liên hệ với chúng tôi để biết thêm thông tin về các ngôn ngữ khác.  

如需其他语言版本，请联系我们。  

Пожалуйста, свяжитесь с нами для получения информации на других языках. 

Стосовно інших мов, будь ласка, зв’яжіться з нами. 

추가 언어를 확인하려면 당사에 문의하세요. 

يُرجى الاتصال بنا للاستفسار عن لغات إضافية.