State Health Policy

Image

A view of the Oregon State Hospital spire from the courtyard on Nov. 21, 2023. | JAKE THOMAS

Oregon should be held in federal contempt for mental health failures, advocates tell judge

New court filing claims state officials have ignored a predictable situation in which the civil rights of mentally ill people are violated on a routine basis

Jan 7
Premium

Image

Rachel Solotaroff at Portland's Old Town Clinic. | COURTESY CENTRAL CITY CONCERN

How Oregon health officials are preparing for change under Trump

Oregonians’ health care could face more change than most states under the new federal administration, and Dr. Sejal Hathi, director of the state health authority, said officials are preparing to respond quickly as things happen

Jan 3
Premium

Image

Dr. Lisa Reynolds, a pediatrician and Democratic lawmaker, speaks at the CCO Oregon conference in Salem in Sept. 2024. | JAKE THOMAS/THE LUND REPORT

Kids' health in mind, Lisa Reynolds gains clout in new Senate role

Already a strong voice in health policy, the Legislature’s only physician says prevention and better childhood development will improve behavioral health.

Jan 2
Premium

Image

Portland, Oregon. | SHUTTERSTOCK

Shortages of funds but not of issues marked Oregon health care in 2024

With health care undergoing rapid transformation, officials and lawmakers have struggled to keep up as ripple effects hit patients, providers and members of the public

Dec 31, 2024
Premium

Image

The Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace is a state portal that connects individuals to health insurance and potential federal subsidies to help pay for it. | HEALTHCARE.OREGON.GOV/THE LUND REPORT

Oregon insurance website project was halted over bidder-consultant connection, records show

A high-profile, legislatively-mandated Oregon health insurance website contracting process was scrapped after an Oregon Health Authority consultant evaluating bids was linked to one of the bidders. Now state officials are trying to get things back on track.

Dec 19, 2024

Image

SHUTTERSTOCK

Nurse staffing law’s start in Oregon: flood of complaints, ‘mixed bag’ effects

A new staffing law sparked a slew of complaints, driven in part by disagreement over its meaning. So far it’s unclear whether lawmakers plan to revisit it.

Dec 19, 2024
Premium

Image

The Oregon Health Authority headquarters in Salem | JAKE THOMAS/THE LUND REPORT

Oregon officials, experts grappled behind the scenes with youth gender-affirming care guideline

Records show how state medical advisors decided questions around youth transgender care were outweighed by a state law ensuring access

Dec 12, 2024

Image

Students at the OHSU School of Nursing Ashland Campus learn, practice and refine nursing skills at the campus’ Simulation and Clinical Learning Center. | COURTESY OF OHSU/ALLEN HALLMARK

Growing ranks of Oregon nurses not enough to ease shortages, expert warns lawmakers

Oregon is steadily graduating new nurses or attracting them from other states. But the leader of a local nursing think tank says too many are fleeing jobs because of working conditions

Dec 11, 2024
Premium

Image

The headquarters building in Salem of the Oregon Health Authority. | STATE OF OREGON

Additional feedback sought on care for low-income Oregonians

Three public meetings Thursday seek comment on Oregon's coordinated care organizations as the state considers changes to contracts under the Oregon Health Plan

Dec 10, 2024

Image

Unity Center for Behavioral Health is in Northeast Portland.

Portland mental health advocates seek to join hospital lawsuit, raise pressure on state

The Mental Health Association of Portland wants a formal role in a case concerning a group of patients effectively shut out of the state psychiatric hospital and left with inadequate options

Dec 9, 2024
Premium