Ben Botkin

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THOMAS BREHER/PIXABAY

Wyden and Jayapal lead inquiry that finds pharmacies fail to protect medical privacy

Northwest lawmakers want the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to improve federal privacy regulations

Dec 14, 2023

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Capt. Lee Eby, commander of the Clackamas County Jail, talks about treating inmates with addiction during a tour of the facility’s medical unit on Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023. | BEN BOTKIN/OREGON CAPITAL CHRONICLE

Though many jail inmates have addiction problems, facilities lack treatment services

Rep. Pam Marsh plans to introduce a bill in the 2024 session to provide funding for addiction medication, screenings and more

Dec 12, 2023

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U.S. Rep. Andrea Salinas, D-Oregon, speaks on the House floor on March 10, 2023. | C-SPAN SCREENSHOT

Salinas, Harshbarger introduce bipartisan bill to expand telehealth services for rural Americans

The bill would provide $10 million annually in grants for telehealth services in rural areas

Dec 5, 2023

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SHUTTERSTOCK

Study: Nearly half of people using opioids in rural areas were recently incarcerated

Oregon Health & Science University author of national study says jails have an opportunity to treat drug addiction

Nov 11, 2023

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LENA SAMCHENKOVA/UNSPLASH

Oregon lawmakers prep to tackle drug addiction in 2024 session

The legislative committee will look at the addiction crisis from a wider perspective than Measure 110 alone

Oct 17, 2023

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Sarah Holland, a director at Portland-based Central City Concern, (right) speaks about housing and health care with Oregon Medicaid director Dana Hittle (middle) and Marin Arreola, a member of the Governor’s Racial Justice Council. The group spoke about Oregon’s Medicaid expansion at CCO Oregon’s annual conference about health care in Salem. | BEN BOTKIN/OREGON CAPITAL CHRONICLE

Oregon health leaders warn of bumpy start for expanded Medicaid system

Oregon’s new Medicaid plan will offer people help with housing and food as state faces homelessness crisis

Oct 6, 2023

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Lisbon, Portugal. | LAURA/PIXABAY

Oregon looks to struggling Portugal for answers on drug addiction

Two decades after decriminalizing drugs, Portugal faces some of the same problems that hound Oregon, though on a smaller scale

Sep 19, 2023

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U.S. Rep. Andrea Salinas, D-Oregon, speaks on the House floor on March 10, 2023. | C-SPAN SCREENSHOT

Salinas urges House to eliminate anti-LGBTQ, anti-abortion parts of defense budget bill

The Oregon Democratic congresswoman says “partisan extremists” endanger funding in the bill needed to fight the opioid crisis

Sep 14, 2023

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Multnomah County Circuit Court Judge Nan Waller in her office on Thursday, February 9th, 2023. | JORDAN GALE/OREGON CAPITAL CHRONICLE

Multnomah County judge in center of Oregon’s mental health crisis

Nan Waller, a homegrown judge, helps suspects find mental health treatment while also overseeing hundreds of competency hearings a year

Sep 12, 2023

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The Oregon Health Authority in Salem. | OREGON HEALTH AUTHORITY

Medicaid patients denied treatment, adding to Oregon’s mental health crisis

A state system that often blocks treatment, with contractors trained by YouTube videos assessing patients, is under review after a whistleblower complained

Sep 4, 2023