Behavioral Health

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Oregon State Hospital in Salem. | BEN BOTKIN/THE LUND REPORT

Updated: Oregon State Hospital's new 30-day safety plan provides broad strokes but few details

The three-page plan focuses on assessing patients risks, increasing staffing to operate more like a 24/7 hospital, and providing clearer direction and empowerment to staff

Apr 30
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The Oregon Health Authority headquarters in Salem | JAKE THOMAS/THE LUND REPORT

Treatment providers say Oregon health officials’ new rule is hurting care

Cascadia Health and other residential facility operators say the state’s push to avoid a possible federal contempt order is leading to poor outcomes as well as escapes and increased violence

Apr 29
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SHUTTERSTOCK

Oregon hospitals house mentally ill for long periods, dashboard shows

New state website supports longstanding complaints that hospitals have become a stopgap for holes in the Oregon mental health system

Apr 24
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SHUTTERSTOCK

Bills to permit behavioral health treatment by out-of-state providers were sailing, then hit the rocks

Rep. Ed Diehl said the four bills, intended to address Oregon's critical shortage of behavioral health providers, were pulled by the House Speaker's office at the last minute

Apr 24
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Oregon State Hospital in Salem, Oregon, on Nov. 21, 2023. | JAKE THOMAS/THE LUND REPORT

Another patient’s death, another new leader add to turmoil at Oregon State Hospital

Kotek gives Dave Baden 30 days to issue a public plan to ease concerns, but one lawyer says Oregonians deserve more information and a lasting fix for the psychiatric facility

Apr 15
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A courtroom at Multnomah County Circuit Court. | PHOTO COPYRIGHT: PORTLAND TRIBUNE/JONATHAN HOUSE (USED WITH PERMISSION)

Patient’s murder of Haley Rogers leads to verdict of guilty except for insanity

Her death at a Gresham care home two years ago sparked changes for Cascadia Health and spurred legislation in Salem

Apr 10
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Mathew Padrow (left), Denise Darby (center) and Hunter Graham (right) testify in support of changes to Oregon's civil commitment law to the Oregon House Judiciary Committee on April 3, 2025. | JAKE THOMAS/THE LUND REPORT

Coalition's push to change Oregon’s civil commitment law faces opposition

Kotek-backed bill has support from hospitals and law enforcement and the medical community, while behavioral health advocates are split

Apr 8
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MOHAMED HASSAN/PIXABAY

Counselors, therapists want limits on audits by health insurers and the state

Providers say audits are unfairly demanding costly repayment of very old claims — but health insurers say the proposed new rules would be unworkable

Apr 3
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PeaceHealth, Vancouver - Medical Center Physician's Building. | COURTESY PEACEHEALTH

Major Vancouver mental health provider furloughs 112 workers, will continue methadone treatment

Officials are scrambling to respond after Columbia River Mental Health Services, a mainstay of Clark County's behavioral health system, issued a surprise announcement of clinic closures and a financial crisis Monday. A leader says methadone treatment will continue to prevent sudden withdrawal for 800 clients.

Mar 26
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