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Senate Rules advances resolution designating Community Health Worker Awareness Week
Summary
The Rules Committee heard and advanced House Concurrent Resolution 28a, a bipartisan measure recognizing community health workers and encouraging state, local and federal collaboration to support the workforce. The committee moved the resolution to the floor with an 'adopted' recommendation.
The Senate Committee on Rules took up House Concurrent Resolution 28a on April 23, a measure that recognizes the contributions of community health workers (CHWs) and seeks to designate a week to raise awareness of their role.
Guest staff summarized the resolution as follows: "House Concurrent Resolution 28a designates the week of August 17 to [an identified week in] 2025 as community health care workers week. It recognizes the significant contributions of community health workers to improve health outcomes in underserved communities and encourages collaboration at the local, state, and federal levels to raise awareness of the critical role of community health workers in Oregon and throughout The United States," a staff summary said.
Representative Ricky Ruiz (House District 50) testified in support, describing CHWs as trusted community members — "promotoras de salud" in Spanish — who connect people to services and improve culturally responsive care. Witnesses argued the resolution highlights the need for sustainable funding, fair wages and support systems so CHWs can continue to work in underserved communities.
In the committee work session, members expressed bipartisan support for the measure and noted a small amount of public testimony that criticized some CHWs who are publicly funded for taking political positions. Supporters urged separation of paid public service duties from political advocacy while recognizing CHWs’ public-health contributions. Committee members moved HCR 28a to the Senate floor with a 'be adopted' recommendation; a roll call recorded ayes and the motion carried.
Why this matters: Community health workers are frontline connectors in public health and social services; a formal recognition week is a symbolic move intended to elevate the workforce and draw attention to policy and funding needs.
