Behavioral Health

Image

A white board in a hallway inside the Oregon State Hospital in November 2023. | JAKE THOMAS/THE LUND REPORT

Judge overseeing state hospital case demands answers as contempt order looms

The state's failure to provide adequate mental health treatment is having ripple effects around the state and causing civil rights violations. U.S. District Judge Adrienne Nelson wants to know specifically what is being done to fix things.

Jan 23
Premium

Image

A view of the Oregon State Capitol in November 2024. | JAKE THOMAS/THE LUND REPORT

Oregon lawmakers outline plans, priorities for health care in session

The upcoming five-month session could lead to significant progress, according to a legislative panel

Jan 7
Premium

Image

A view of the Oregon State Hospital spire from the courtyard on Nov. 21, 2023. | JAKE THOMAS

Oregon should be held in federal contempt for mental health failures, advocates tell judge

New court filing claims state officials have ignored a predictable situation in which the civil rights of mentally ill people are violated on a routine basis

Jan 7
Premium

Image

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
Premium

Image

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
Premium

Image

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
Premium

Image

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
Premium

Image

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
Premium

Image

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
Premium

Image

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
Premium