State Health Policy

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An employee of the Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services helps a consumer pick a health care plan on the federal online health insurance marketplace. | DEPARTMENT OF CONSUMER AND BUSINESS SERVICES

Amid historic health enrollment gains nationally, Oregon holds steady

State officials say Oregon’s relatively flat enrollment with its subsidized insurance marketplace website reflects success with other health care initiatives

Jan 25, 2024
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New Oregon Health Authority interim director Sejal Hathi released a video address to agency employees on her first day, Jan. 16, 2024. | SCREENSHOT FROM OHA VIDEO

Hathi begins work as head of Oregon Health Authority

Dr. Sejal Hathi stressed her commitment to the health authority’s goals. If confirmed by the Senate, she’ll be the agency’s first permanent director in more than a year.

Jan 18, 2024
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CareOregon is among 16 coordinated care organizations in Oregon serving Medicaid members. | LYNNE TERRY/THE LUND REPORT

Analysis: Six things to know about the big CareOregon merger

Supporters and opponents of the combination of an Oregon health care mainstay with a California-based Medicare insurer have publicly sparred for months, but significant aspects of the deal remain little-recognized, unsettled or unknown

Jan 16, 2024

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Clockwise from front left: Sophomores Madison Cailteux, Kaden Davis Young, Samuel Stanley, Jack Von Ammon and Pearl Carter participate in cooperative learning during science class at South Eugene High School on Dec. 11, 2023. | EMILY GREEN/THE LUND REPORT

Other states drive youth prevention in ways Oregon does not

States like Washington and Pennsylvania work with scientists to help schools put in place science-backed prevention programs

Jan 16, 2024

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Patrick Allen. | COPYRIGHTED IMAGE REPRINTED WITH PERMISSION FROM THE PORTLAND TRIBUNE

CareOregon merger draws opposition from former top Oregon health official

On the eve of a key state recommendation, Patrick Allen, the Oregon Health Authority's former director, said he hasn't seen a 'compelling argument' that Oregonians' interests are served by CareOregon's proposed merger into a California-based entity. The nonprofit Portland-based insurer oversees care for 500,000 low-income members of the Oregon Health Plan.

Jan 12, 2024

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Sixth-grade student Keira Eaton, left, raises her hand to answer a question during a LifeSkills Training class at Scio Middle School in Scio, Ore., Nov. 16, 2023. The class is one of the most research-supported substance use prevention curricula in the country. | KRISTYNA WENTZ-GRAFF/OPB/THE LUND REPORT

Youth addiction prevention in Oregon gets little help from state

As Oregon’s substance use crisis intensifies, state agencies provide little support to schools and communities

Jan 11, 2024

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Sixth-grade student Ariana Parker during a LifeSkills Training class at Scio Middle School in Scio, Ore., Nov. 16, 2023. The class is one of the most research-supported substance use prevention curricula in the country. | KRISTYNA WENTZ-GRAFF/OPB/THE LUND REPORT

Schools weigh priorities when tackling substance use prevention

Crafting a local strategy backed by sound science is more complicated than it might seem, district officials say

Jan 11, 2024

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Linn County Alcohol and Drug Prevention Specialist Shannon Snair leads a LifeSkills Training class at Scio Middle School in Scio, Ore., Nov. 16, 2023. The class is one of the most research-supported substance use prevention curricula in the country. | KRISTYNA WENTZ-GRAFF/OREGON PUBLIC BROADCASTING/FOR THE LUND REPORT

Most Oregon kids don’t get science-backed drug prevention

A statewide analysis reveals that among the state’s 197 public school districts, substance use prevention programs often lack scientific support and can be little more than a chapter in a textbook

Jan 11, 2024

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CareOregon. | COURTESY OF CAREOREGON

Q&A: CEOs defend CareOregon merger plans, balk at specifics

Leaders of a California-based Medicare Advantage plan called SCAN Group and CareOregon, the Portland-based insurer that oversees government-funded care for 500,000 low-income Oregonians, said criticisms of their proposed merger don't recognize its benefits or the risks of inaction. The companies haven't disclosed long-term plans due to antitrust rules, they said — but growth is the goal.

Jan 9, 2024

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Oregon State Hospital in Salem. | JAKE THOMAS/THE LUND REPORT

NAMI Oregon argues court orders have excluded civilly committed patients

The advocacy group made the argument as it backed a federal court appeal by hospital systems who say they’re being saddled unfairly with civilly committed patients.

Jan 9, 2024
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