Portland, Ore. Jan. 30, 2008- In 2007, Rep. Chip Shields, Sen. Margaret Carter and the Oregon House and Senate Democrats succeeded in reducing the cost of prescription drugs by expanding the Oregon prescription drug bulk purchasing program. Now all Oregonians can join and save up to 60% on prescription drugs by calling 1-800-913-4146.

Also,for the first time in years, enrollment in the Oregon Health Plan has opened. Rep Shields is encouraging people who are uninsured to apply during the January 28 to February 29 lottery enrollment window by calling 1- 800-699-9075.

Now it's time to plan for the next legislative sessions in Feb. 2008 and Jan. 2009.

"With Democrats leading the Oregon House for the first time in 16 years, Senator Margaret Carter and I were able to make improvements to healthcare for N/NE Portlanders, but there's much more work to do," said Rep. Chip Shields of House District 43, which includes much of North and Northeast Portland, Irvington and the Lloyd District.

State Representative Chip Shields, State Senator Margaret Carter and special guests are inviting the community to a Town Hall forum to map out North and Northeast Portland's health care agenda.

The Town Hall will be Wednesday, February 6th from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. at the Urban League Multicultural Senior Center at 5235 NE MLK Blvd in Portland. The entrance is around back on Garfield.

Special guests will include Geri Washington, Health Policy Director for Oregon Action; Dr. Bruce Goldberg, Director of the Department of Human Services; and Shelda Holmes, Family Nurse Practitioner and owner of Hands on Medicine prrimary care clinic in North Portland.

Rep. Shields will also hold a Town Hall forum on education (Pre-K to Higher Ed) at the Portland Community College-Cascade Campus Student Service Cafeteria on Saturday March 8 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Over 70 people attended Rep. Shields and Sen. Carter's January Town Hall on creating a N/NE living- wage jobs agenda.

For more information, call Rep. Shields office at 503- 231-2564 or go to his website at www.leg.state.or.us/shieldsc .