State Health Policy

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Sixth-grade student Ariana Parker during a LifeSkills Training class at Scio Middle School in Scio, Ore., Nov. 16, 2023. The class is one of the most research-supported substance use prevention curricula in the country. | KRISTYNA WENTZ-GRAFF/OPB/THE LUND REPORT

Schools weigh priorities when tackling substance use prevention

Crafting a local strategy backed by sound science is more complicated than it might seem, district officials say

Jan 11, 2024

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Linn County Alcohol and Drug Prevention Specialist Shannon Snair leads a LifeSkills Training class at Scio Middle School in Scio, Ore., Nov. 16, 2023. The class is one of the most research-supported substance use prevention curricula in the country. | KRISTYNA WENTZ-GRAFF/OREGON PUBLIC BROADCASTING/FOR THE LUND REPORT

Most Oregon kids don’t get science-backed drug prevention

A statewide analysis reveals that among the state’s 197 public school districts, substance use prevention programs often lack scientific support and can be little more than a chapter in a textbook

Jan 11, 2024

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CareOregon. | COURTESY OF CAREOREGON

Q&A: CEOs defend CareOregon merger plans, balk at specifics

Leaders of a California-based Medicare Advantage plan called SCAN Group and CareOregon, the Portland-based insurer that oversees government-funded care for 500,000 low-income Oregonians, said criticisms of their proposed merger don't recognize its benefits or the risks of inaction. The companies haven't disclosed long-term plans due to antitrust rules, they said — but growth is the goal.

Jan 9, 2024

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Oregon State Hospital in Salem. | JAKE THOMAS/THE LUND REPORT

NAMI Oregon argues court orders have excluded civilly committed patients

The advocacy group made the argument as it backed a federal court appeal by hospital systems who say they’re being saddled unfairly with civilly committed patients.

Jan 9, 2024
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A box of Narcan, an-opioid reversing drug, before it was distributed at a day shelter in Ontario, Ore. on Oct. 13, 2022. | KYLE GREEN/THE LUND REPORT

New year brings new laws on insurance coverage, Narcan availability and more

Health care bills that made it past the finish line during the last session are now law

Jan 2, 2024
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Oregon State Hospital in Salem, Oregon, on Nov. 21, 2023. | JAKE THOMAS/THE LUND REPORT

Judge extends discharge deadlines for Oregon State Hospital patients

Federal case keeps mentally ill people from getting stuck in jail without treatment, but local officials remain concerned

Dec 26, 2023
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Portland, Oregon. | SHUTTERSTOCK

Even without a pandemic, health care was wild in 2023

It was a year in which the health care community had hoped to recuperate. Instead, Oregon and southwest Washington saw major changes affecting workers, patients, insurers, state officials and health systems.

Dec 21, 2023

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PHOTO COPYRIGHT PORTLAND TRIBUNE; PHOTO USED WITH PERMISSION.

Former Oregon governor John Kitzhaber opposes CareOregon merger

Influential health leader says the Oregon nonprofit's absorption by a California Medicare insurer would undermine care for low-income people. Leadership of the two entities say the critics are off-base.

Dec 14, 2023
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ANDRII YALANSKYI/SHUTTERSTOCK

State panel may come out against CareOregon merger

Oregon advisory committee will consider a draft recommendation saying the nonprofit’s absorption into a California entity could harm low-income Oregonians and shouldn’t be approved

Dec 5, 2023
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PIXABAY

The state’s climate benefit for low-income Oregonians is shrinking

State officials failed to persuade the federal government to embrace changes to an agreement around a climate-related devices such as air conditioners, and now are planning a scaled-down program for March

Nov 30, 2023
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