The Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services extended its emergency order for health insurance companies through Aug. 2, 2020.
The order requires health insurance companies to do the following for their customers during the COVID-19 outbreak:
“Moving to a mandate instead of an advisory is stepping things up although at least so far, it just seems to be a change in language rather than a change in de facto enforcement," a health care advocate says.
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.
"Anytime you find a prevalence of a virus like this at 3.4% of the population, that’s really concerning,” said Dr. Ben Dalziel, assistant professor in the College of Science at OSU and co-director of the project.
The U.S. public health system has been starved for decades and lacks the resources to confront the worst health crisis in a century.
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.
Gov. Kate Brown's expanded mask order came after pressure from local health officials and advocates.
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.
