Behavioral Health

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Rachel Solotaroff at Portland's Old Town Clinic. | COURTESY CENTRAL CITY CONCERN

How Oregon health officials are preparing for change under Trump

Oregonians’ health care could face more change than most states under the new federal administration, and Dr. Sejal Hathi, director of the state health authority, said officials are preparing to respond quickly as things happen

Jan 3
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Portland, Oregon. | SHUTTERSTOCK

Shortages of funds but not of issues marked Oregon health care in 2024

With health care undergoing rapid transformation, officials and lawmakers have struggled to keep up as ripple effects hit patients, providers and members of the public

Dec 31, 2024
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The west plaza at Oregon State Hospital in Salem. | COURTESY OREGON HEALTH AUTHORITY

Judge may extend discharge deadlines for Oregon State Hospital patients

Much-criticized court order is no longer doing enough to ease the state's problem with lack of psychiatric beds, but supporters say it's better than nothing as the state continues to regularly violate a decades- old civil rights ruling

Dec 17, 2024
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Unity Center for Behavioral Health is in Northeast Portland.

Portland mental health advocates seek to join hospital lawsuit, raise pressure on state

The Mental Health Association of Portland wants a formal role in a case concerning a group of patients effectively shut out of the state psychiatric hospital and left with inadequate options

Dec 9, 2024
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Oregon State Hospital in Salem. | BEN BOTKIN/THE LUND REPORT

Federal judge turns up heat on Oregon Health Authority, Kotek

A new federal judge overseeing long-running Oregon State Hospital litigation is losing patience as civil rights violations continue to mount

Nov 21, 2024
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Unity Center for Behavioral Health is in Northeast Portland.

Health authority is flouting new Biden anti-discrimination rules, hospitals claim

A federal court battle over who should care for severely mentally ill people is evolving as advocates join hospitals in saying the state neglects its obligations

Nov 14, 2024
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Cascadia Behavioral Healthcare walk-in clinic in Portland. | LYNNE TERRY/THE LUND REPORT

Attacks on behavioral health workers prompt push for safer workplaces

Violence at behavioral health facilities has a task force honing recommendations that could ensure a worker need never be alone with a client they feel is a threat

Nov 12, 2024
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SHUTTERSTOCK

Oregonians brace for health care changes as second Trump term nears

Oregon’s protections for gender-affirming care, abortion and access for people who are noncitizens could face tests under a president-elect who gave mixed signals on the campaign trail

Nov 7, 2024
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The Oregon Health Authority in Salem. | OREGON HEALTH AUTHORITY

Unexpected signups fuel $260 million budget hole at Oregon Health Authority

Unexpectedly high enrollment numbers in the Oregon Health Plan will cost ‘a big chunk of change’ official says, and agency officials now will ask lawmakers for help funding that care as well as for unplanned staffing costs at the Oregon State Hospital

Oct 22, 2024
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Washington County’s Hawthorn Walk-In Center for mental health and addictions care in Hillsboro./Washington County

Washington and Clackamas counties go to court over Measure 110 funding change

The changes gives rural counties a bigger share of an estimated $427 million in treatment money. But the pair of Portland area counties say they were shut of the process

Oct 15, 2024
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