The Lund Report

For businesses and residents hoping Portland area counties will move into Phase 2 of coronavirus reopening this week, county leaders have a message: It’s not happening.

The office has verified 132,465 valid signatures out of the 160,963 submitted -- well more than the 112,020 needed to qualify for statewide ballot.

For the 179,000 Oregonians who buy individual plans, rates would rise by a weighted average of 1.8 %, although the exact amount would depend on the insurer and type of plan.

Advocates say a new rule will make it harder for patients with conditions such as cancer and multiple sclerosis who rely on very expensive drugs to afford them.

Therapists are riding a regulatory roller coaster at a time when Americans are struggling with trauma over the pandemic’s rising illnesses, deaths and financial stress. Some critics warn that the United States is on the verge of a mental health crisis.

Trauma, economic inequality, inadequate translation and religious and cultural practices have contributed to the disproportionate spread of the virus among Somali, Congolese and Bhutanese refugees and Pacific Island populations.

Gov. Kate Brown -- and lawmakers -- hope that federal authorities will give Oregon money to help plug the budget hole before another special session later this summer.

Supporters say they have enough signatures for an initiative which would allow the use of magic mushrooms in a controlled setting as a mental health therapy. 

“There are unscrupulous providers out there, and they have much greater reach with telehealth,” said Mike Cohen, an operations officer with the Health and Human Services Inspector General’s Office.