State Health Policy

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The Oregon Health Authority in Salem. | OREGON HEALTH AUTHORITY

Oregon’s landmark evidence-based coverage program is going away, but what’s next is unclear

For three decades the state has used public meetings and research to decide what services are covered under the Oregon Health Plan. Officials are deciding how to reorganize the program, but little has been shared publicly about their plans.

Jul 30, 2024
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Oregon State Hospital in Salem, Oregon, on Nov. 21, 2023. | JAKE THOMAS/THE LUND REPORT

Marion County loses latest lawsuit seeking greater state hospital access

Lawyers for the county argued the state hospital must provide outpatient treatment for people it could not admit. A judge ruled that the case was beyond his court

Jul 30, 2024
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PIXABAY

Ahmed Farag to be new Oregon dental director

Farag, a hospital system executive in New York, will oversee oral health policies affecting more than 1 million low-income Oregonians

Jul 25, 2024
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Dr. Naomi Adeline-Biggs has been named to lead the state public health division at the Oregon Health Authority.

Naomi Adeline-Biggs to lead Oregon public health efforts

Adeline-Biggs to take over as state public health director after two years at Polk County, time with World Health Organization

Jul 16, 2024
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The medical establishment has wrestled with evidence that racial minorities and other marginalized communities experience worse health outcomes and that biases by health care providers — conscious and unconscious — have contributed to those disparities. | SHUTTERSTOCK

Oregon Medical Board delays microaggression, bias rule criticized as vague

Medical professions are trying to address racism in health care. But a group representing Oregon doctors raised concerns over how the rule would be applied

Jul 11, 2024
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BRUNO/PIXABAY

State’s low-income climate benefit takes effect in time for heat wave

The Oregon Health Authority says hundreds of air conditioners have been distributed so far

Jul 9, 2024

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The Measure 110 Oversight and Accountability Council discusses during its July 3, 2024 meeting a new formula for grants that is intended to set a funding floor for rural counties. | SCREENSHOT

Measure 110 spending plan means Portland area will lag despite size, diversity

New rules to help rural counties mean the Portland region will receive an estimated $13 million a year in recovery services less than what its population calls for, showing challenges in funding for recovery services

Jul 9, 2024
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Oregon Health Authority Sejal Hathi addressed agency employees in a video on her first day, Jan. 16, 2024 | SCREENSHOT FROM OHA VIDEO

New records show relations soured before Oregon Health Authority equity director’s firing

Leann Johnson criticized top agency leaders and filed formal complaints against them claiming discrimination and retaliation. In firing her, Director Sejal Hathi cited a backlog of unresolved civil rights complaints that equity managers attributed to understaffing

Jul 2, 2024

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The Oregon Health Authority in Salem. | OREGON HEALTH AUTHORITY

New free health care program to cover about 100,000 Oregonians

New ‘OHP Bridge’ state coverage will cover people who earn too much to qualify for the Medicaid-funded Oregon Health Plan starting July 1

Jul 1, 2024
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SHUTTERSTOCK

State needs to spend $850 million on behavioral health beds over five years, report says

Inpatient psychiatric care gaps fuel racial and geographic disparities, according to an OHA-contracted study

Jul 1, 2024