State Health Policy

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Gov. Tina Kotek speaks at the signing of the health care staffing bill on Aug. 15, 2023 at the Capitol in Salem, Ore. | JAKE THOMAS/THE LUND REPORT

Kotek closes in on new Oregon Health Authority director pick

New director will take over a crucial agency that’s lacked a permanent leader for seven months

Oct 5, 2023
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Jordan Morelli, a supervisor at the David Romprey Oregon Warmline, pauses in between calls. Morelli has worked at the warmline for about nine years, taking calls from people who need help talking through mental health struggles. | COURTESY COMMUNITY COUNSELING SOLUTIONS

Oregon ‘warmline’ provides record mental health support, but cuts loom

State officials have called the service ‘essential’ and a money-saver, but want others in the fragmented behavioral health system to step up with funding

Oct 3, 2023
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Dave Baden, interim director of the Oregon Health Authority, speaks to the House Interim Committee On Behavioral Health and Health Care on Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2023, about the financial strength of the state’s Medicaid insurers. | JAKE THOMAS/THE LUND REPORT

Insurers’ high pandemic profits from Oregon Health Plan spark legislative hearing

Citing reporting by The Lund Report, lawmakers highlighted more than $400 million in profits, which insurers defended as needed reserves and money for future community investments

Sep 28, 2023

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Rachael Banks, who served as public health director for the state of Oregon for three years, was appointed in September 2023 to head the Multnomah County Health Department. The position requires board confirmation. | COURTESY MULTNOMAH COUNTY

State Public Health Director Rachael Banks leaving for a top job at Multnomah County

After three years at the Oregon Health Authority, Banks will return to the county to head its health department, if confirmed.

Sep 25, 2023
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SHUTTERSTOCK

State accuses local pharmacy owner of pocketing money under HIV program

A lawsuit from the state centers on a complicated federal program that helps low-income people access HIV treatments

Sep 21, 2023
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Oregon State Hospital in Salem. | BEN BOTKIN/THE LUND REPORT

Feds say Oregon State Hospital was slow to address safety after dangerous patient escaped

For the second time in two years, federal regulators have ordered the state hospital to take action to address unsafe conditions

Sep 20, 2023
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Oregon Recovers co-founder and director, Mike Marshall (at right), speaks at an Oregon Recovers event last year. Tony Vezina, founder and director of 4D Recovery stands at left. | COURTESY OREGON RECOVERS

Advocates urge bold action to address Oregon’s addiction crisis

Oregon Recovers wants state officials to declare a state emergency and mobilize a response that includes temporary field services, immediate access to care and changes to Measure 110

Sep 13, 2023
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Oregon State Hospital in Salem. | OREGON HEALTH AUTHORITY

Marion County sues Oregon State Hospital over treatment

Seeking home turf after a federal court ruling, Marion County wants a local court to find that the state is not fulfilling its duties to patients and the public

Sep 12, 2023

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Dean Kienholz in his office at Columbia River Correctional Institution in Portland, Ore. on July 19, 2023. Kienholz is a prisoner who became a certified alcohol and drug counselor while incarcerated. | EMILY GREEN/THE LUND REPORT

A prison pipeline that could help meet Oregon’s behavioral health workforce needs

The state corrections department is expanding a program that certifies prisoners to be drug and alcohol counselors and mentors — and it couldn’t happen at a better time

Aug 25, 2023

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Former legislative aide Kristina Narayan is going back to work for Tina Kotek, now in the governor's office. | COURTESY OF CAREOREGON

Kotek taps former aide to help with health care

Kristina Narayan has worked in and around Salem and Oregon health care for much of her career

Aug 24, 2023
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