Behavioral Health

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Oregon beefs up help lines, support services for youth of color

A new state report cites progress in helping young people get help to deal with mental health challenges, but says more culturally specific services are needed to address disparities in the risk of suicide among young people

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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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

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The Behavioral Health Resource Center at 333 SW Park Avenue in Portland on Nov. 16, 2022. | EMILY GREEN/THE LUND REPORT

County health and social services contracts need better oversight, auditors say

Multnomah County's contract oversight practices need revamping to ensure people are getting the services they need, according to a report issued by Auditor Jennifer McGuirk. County officials say they're working on it.

Jun 27, 2024
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State Behavioral Health Director Ebony Clarke said she thinks the state needs to be audacious and bold when it comes to improving care for low-income Oregonians. | SCREENSHOT, OREGON HEALTH FORUM

Oregon behavioral health fissures add costs and block access, panel says

Oregon's notoriously fragmented system spawns administrative tasks and barriers at the expense of patients and providers, according to a panel of experts who spoke Wednesday

Jun 26, 2024
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The emergency department at Legacy Good Samaritan hospital in Portland on July 30, 2023. | JAKE THOMAS/THE LUND REPORT

Lawsuit over state's failure to provide psychiatric care can proceed, court rules

Federal appeals judges sided with Oregon hospitals and overturned a lower court ruling, but questioned whether a prime mover in Oregon State Hospital litigation — the advocacy group Disability Rights Oregon — can simultaneously represent two groups of patients with conflicting interests

Jun 5, 2024
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Gov. Tina Kotek speaks to reporters at a press event in April 2023 in Salem. | JAKE THOMAS/THE LUND REPORT

Kotek behavioral health presentation leaves questions unanswered

On Wednesday lawmakers heard about the governor’s plans to address Oregon’s crisis in mental health and substance use disorder, but some detail was lacking

May 30, 2024
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Emma Sandoe will head the state program providing free health care to 1 in 3 Oregonians. | OREGON HEALTH AUTHORITY

Updated: Emma Sandoe named as next director of Oregon's Medicaid program

Sandoe hails from North Carolina's program where Oregon Health Authority Director Sejal Hathi also had worked for a time. Sandoe will bring a national reputation while heading the $28-billion Oregon Health Plan providing free health care to 1.4 million low-income people.

May 23, 2024
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Oregon should do more to fix fractured behavioral health system, report finds

The state’s failure to provide the sort of treatment considered the most effective ends up increasing costs elsewhere in the system, according to researchers

May 21, 2024
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Gov. Tina Kotek speaks to reporters at a press event in April 2023 in Salem. | JAKE THOMAS/THE LUND REPORT

New records detail Aimee Kotek Wilson’s involvement in Oregon Health Authority affairs

Governor’s spouse was part of ‘team’ working on behavioral health, emails show. Supporters fear governor’s handling of the situation could spark backlash.

May 16, 2024
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