State Health Policy

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Dr. Sejal Hathi, 33, in January takes over as director of the Oregon Health Authority, an agency that oversees care to more than 1.3 million low-income people. | SCREENSHOT VIA THE LUND REPORT

Q&A: Incoming Oregon Health Authority Director Sejal Hathi on Measure 110, delivery reforms

The former White House advisor supports the drug decriminalization law’s goals but says she’ll work with law enforcement and others on implementation

Nov 7, 2023
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Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Center's Century High School clinic in in Hillsboro, Oregon. | ©PORTLAND TRIBUNE, REPUBLISHED WITH PERMISSION

Oregon lawmakers to push for in-school medical center funding

With mental health issues among adolescents on the rise, advocates say school-based health centers need more funding

Nov 7, 2023
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Dr. Sejal Hathi | COURTESY GOV. TINA KOTEK'S OFFICE

Kotek appoints new director of Oregon Health Authority

Dr. Sejal Hathi will take the helm of the state’s largest agency in January

Nov 6, 2023

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Governor, lawmakers need to take action on Oregon kids’ mental health, advocate says

One in 4 Oregon youth ages 12-17 have experienced a “major depressive episode” in the last 12 months — the second-highest rate in the country, according to the state

Oct 31, 2023
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State Rep. Ben Bowman, at left, on the House floor in the Oregon Capitol. | COURTESY REP. BEN BOWMAN'S OFFICE.

Bill seeks to curb corporate control of health care in Oregon

Rep. Ben Bowman said Oregon’s laws haven’t kept up with an accelerating trend in health care that many worry puts profits over patients

Oct 31, 2023
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A pile of flowers and a note eulogizing Bobby Smallwood, a security officer for Legacy Health, sit outside the Good Samaritan Medical Center, where he was killed during a confrontation on July 30, 2023. | JAKE THOMAS/THE LUND REPORT

Oregon lawmakers seek stiffer charges for assaults on hospital workers

Many states consider assaults on medical workers a felony, but efforts to follow suit in Salem have foundered on civil rights concerns

Oct 26, 2023
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Oregon State Hospital in Salem. | BEN BOTKIN/THE LUND REPORT

Judge blasts Marion County’s use of Oregon State Hospital

Ruling suggests a federal jurist is tiring of local officials challenging his order placing time limits on stays in the Oregon State Hospital

Oct 19, 2023
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SHUTTERSTOCK/LUND REPORT ILLUSTRATION

State seeks Universal Health Plan Governance Board director

Applications are being accepted for the new position, which will play a key role in helping the board develop a potentially sweeping overhaul of the state’s health care system

Oct 17, 2023
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CareOregon is among 16 coordinated care organizations in Oregon serving Medicaid members. | LYNNE TERRY/THE LUND REPORT

CareOregon merger proposal draws mixed reaction

Supporters of the nonprofit’s absorption by a California-based group say it will strengthen care for the vulnerable, while critics fear a loss of focus and control for Oregon

Oct 12, 2023

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Audit faults the state’s ‘poor’ monitoring of Oregon Health Plan contractor

The audit found vulnerable patients received improper care after the agency didn’t check the work of Comagine Health

Oct 9, 2023
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