State Health Policy

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A box of Narcan, an-opioid reversing drug, before it was distributed at a day shelter in Ontario, Ore. on Oct. 13, 2022. | KYLE GREEN/THE LUND REPORT

New year brings new laws on insurance coverage, Narcan availability and more

Health care bills that made it past the finish line during the last session are now law

Jan 2, 2024
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Oregon State Hospital in Salem, Oregon, on Nov. 21, 2023. | JAKE THOMAS/THE LUND REPORT

Judge extends discharge deadlines for Oregon State Hospital patients

Federal case keeps mentally ill people from getting stuck in jail without treatment, but local officials remain concerned

Dec 26, 2023
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Portland, Oregon. | SHUTTERSTOCK

Even without a pandemic, health care was wild in 2023

It was a year in which the health care community had hoped to recuperate. Instead, Oregon and southwest Washington saw major changes affecting workers, patients, insurers, state officials and health systems.

Dec 21, 2023

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COURTESY OF THE PORTLAND TRIBUNE

Former Oregon governor John Kitzhaber opposes CareOregon merger

Influential health leader says the Oregon nonprofit's absorption by a California Medicare insurer would undermine care for low-income people. Leadership of the two entities say the critics are off-base.

Dec 14, 2023
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ANDRII YALANSKYI/SHUTTERSTOCK

State panel may come out against CareOregon merger

Oregon advisory committee will consider a draft recommendation saying the nonprofit’s absorption into a California entity could harm low-income Oregonians and shouldn’t be approved

Dec 5, 2023
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PIXABAY

The state’s climate benefit for low-income Oregonians is shrinking

State officials failed to persuade the federal government to embrace changes to an agreement around a climate-related devices such as air conditioners, and now are planning a scaled-down program for March

Nov 30, 2023
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JOZEF MICIC/SHUTTERSTOCK

CareOregon urges Kotek to speed up merger review

The Oregon Health Plan provider, which would send $120 million to a merged California nonprofit under the deal, wants the state to wrap up a process nearing the 12-month mark — even as opposition mounts

Nov 28, 2023
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Clockwise, from left to right: Multnomah County Commissioner Sharon Meieran, moderator and Portland Axios reporter Emily Harris, Providence Health Chief Executive of Behavioral Health Robin Henderson, Portland Street Response Interim Program Manager Lielah Leighton, Jonathan Mroz of Central City Concern, Multnomah Circuit Judge Nan Waller discussed promising approaches to improve behavioral health care in Portland. | SCREENSHOT, OREGON HEALTH FORUM

Decisive action could help Portland's dysfunctional behavioral health system, experts say

An Oregon Health Forum panel agreed that action and urgency could significantly improve care for people experiencing mental health crisis and addiction in Oregon's largest city

Nov 16, 2023

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Oregon legislators discuss upcoming changes to Measure 110 at the Oregon State of Reform conference in Portland on Nov. 14, 2023. From left to right: Rep. Rob Nosse, D-Portland; Rep. Ed Diehl, R-Stayton; and Rep. Thuy Tran, D-Portland. | JAKE THOMAS/THE LUND REPORT

Oregon lawmakers preview possible fixes to Measure 110 in upcoming session

Public drug use and prosecution of drug dealers could be on the table, as well as reinstating criminal penalties and scrapping a controversial oversight council

Nov 14, 2023
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CareOregon. | COURTESY OF CAREOREGON

More public-comment meetings slated for proposed CareOregon/SCAN merger

Details on potential effects of the pending deal remain hazy as a California nonprofit Medicare insurer moves toward absorption of a major provider of health care to low-income Oregonians

Nov 14, 2023