State Health Policy

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SHUTTERSTOCK

Recovery Groups Urge Gov. Brown To Act On Workforce Crisis

Oregon agencies say they need more money to boost worker pay and stem employee turnover that is hurting the quality of care.

Sep 14, 2021
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COURTESY OF OREGON HEALTH & SCIENCE UNIVERSITY

Vaccination Rates Of Medicaid Members Still Lag Behind

Oregon providers, Medicaid insurers make slow progress getting low-income, rural members to step up and get a shot against COVID-19.

Aug 23, 2021
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LATINOS WERE AMONG THE PATIENTS AT AN OHSU VACCINATION CLINIC IN HILLSBORO IN MAY, 2021./JOSH ANDERSEN/OHSU

Comparison Of CCO Vaccination Rates

Umpqua Health Alliance has the lowest COVID-19 vaccination rate among Oregon's coordinated care organizations at 30%.

Aug 23, 2021
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Gov. Kate Brown | BRADLEY PARKS/OPB

Gov. Brown Mandates Vaccination for Health Care, K-12 Workers

Oregon acts in face of COVID-19 surge that is swamping hospitals, but it is unclear how school districts, health care providers will enforce the requirement.

Aug 19, 2021

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BY FANFAN61618 CC BY-SA 2.0

Despite Heat, Relatively Little Spent By Oregon Health Plan On Air Conditioners

Oregon’s innovative Medicaid program allows spending on “health-related” items, an area where the state hopes to gain more flexibility in the next Medicaid round.

Aug 16, 2021
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SHUTTERSTOCK

Health Care Staff Will Have To Be Tested For COVID-19 Or Vaccinated, Gov. Brown Decides

The announcement follows decisions by some hospital systems to require employee vaccinations against COVID-19 despite an Oregon law banning the practice.

Aug 4, 2021

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State health officials are racing to win federal approval of Oregon Health Plan changes before Oregon Gov. Kate Brown, shown at the Oregon Convention Center vaccination site, leaves office. | KRISTYNA WENTZ-GRAFF/OPB

Gov. Brown Mandates Masks In State Buildings

State government employees and visitors inside state agencies must mask up when indoors, regardless of vaccination status.

Jul 30, 2021

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The Oregon Health Authority in Salem. | OREGON HEALTH AUTHORITY

Oregon Health Authority Hires New Dental Director 

Dr. Kaz Rafia is the second dental director at the agency, replacing Bruce Austin.

Jul 7, 2021
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SHUTTERSTOCK

Oregon Will Start Purging 200,000 From Medicaid Rolls Next Summer

A temporary federal law that is allowing people to stay on Medicaid even if their income exceeds traditional limits will expire.

Jul 6, 2021
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PATRICK ALLEN, DIRECTOR OF THE OREGON HEALTH AUTHORITY, GIVES LAWMAKERS AN UPDATE ON THE CORONAVIRUS.

Legislature Approves Spate Of Other Health Care Bills 

The measures passed include creating a new dental profession and giving coordinated care organizations more flexibility.

Jun 29, 2021
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