State Health Policy

MJGRAPHICS/SHUTTERSTOCK

Pandemic handed big profits to companies serving the Oregon Health Plan

Contractors using state and federal funds to provide health care to 1.5 million low-income Oregonians amassed large sums while spending less on care

Jul 17, 2023

The west plaza at Oregon State Hospital in Salem. | COURTESY OREGON HEALTH AUTHORITY

Judge again rejects hospital lawsuit over psychiatric patient boarding

Four hospital systems, which provide a majority of Oregon’s psychiatric beds, indicated they are “assessing their options”

Jul 13, 2023
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LUND REPORT ILLUSTRATION/SHUTTERSTOCK

State extends discussion of cost impacts of Basic Health Program

Records show state officials honed “talking points” while negotiating “firestorm” of media attention

Jul 11, 2023
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St. Charles Health System in Bend. | COURTESY OF ST. CHARLES HEALTH

As hospitals ask for second look at civil commitment lawsuit, opponents say it’s nothing new

Disability Rights Oregon says hospitals are making the same argument, just without “disparaging” patients

Jul 11, 2023
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MOHAMED HASSAN/PIXABAY

Amid massive behavioral health spending, Oregon seeks information to guide it

The state has been spending a lot of money on fixing the behavioral health system — and hopes to do so according to a plan starting in 2024

Jul 6, 2023
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Oregon State Hospital in Salem. | OREGON HEALTH AUTHORITY

Federal judge makes changes to Oregon State Hospital rules

Lack of capacity at the state’s premier psychiatric facility continues to put the state in violation of a federal order, but a judge’s changes may help

Jul 6, 2023

The Oregon Health Authority in Salem. | OREGON HEALTH AUTHORITY

Search launches for new head of Oregon Health Authority

Three ‘listening sessions’ in July seek public input on attributes needed to lead massive agency

Jun 29, 2023

State Rep. Tawna Sanchez, D-Portland, chatting before a session of the Oregon House on March 21, 2023. | JAKE THOMAS/THE LUND REPORT

With three digits and a cell phone tax, 988 seeks to transform crisis response

Despite hotline’s planned overhaul, some fear service gaps will handcuff success

Jun 29, 2023
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Ken Rush teaches a group of peer support mentors inside Origins Faith Community, a nonprofit in eastern Oregon that received funding through Measure 110 to start a peer support program and expand its services. | KYLE GREEN/THE LUND REPORT