State Health Policy

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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

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

Trump turmoil leads to delay of Oregon's biggest procurement process

Officials in Oregon will pause the contracting process for the care of more than 1 million low-income Oregonians, citing uncertainty in the federal Medicaid program

Apr 17
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State Sen. Lisa Reynolds, D-Washington County, testifies during House Judiciary Committee hearing in April 2025. | JAKE THOMAS/THE LUND REPORT

Oregon senator pushes ‘equal pay for equal care’ for primary care clinics

Reynolds bill would increase clinic reimbursements to equal those paid to hospitals for the same care, but health insurers oppose it.

Apr 17
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Legacy Emanuel Medical Center in North Portland. | COPYRIGHT PAMPLIN MEDIA GROUP (USED WITH PERMISSION)

Legacy Health touts stable financial rating

S&P Global, following a similar review by Moody's in December, highlights Legacy's "strategic and operational initiatives" that should improve operating performance. Legacy seeks to merge with OHSU.

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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SHUTTERSTOCK

Decades-old Oregon health care cost-control program will continue — for now

Concerns from care organizations and providers have derailed an agency push to kill a program that engages in public, evidence-based rationing of Oregon Health Plan services, kicking it to a task force instead

Apr 10
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OHSU Doernbecher Children's Hospital has a level 1 pediatric trauma center. | OHSU/CHRISTINE TORRES HICKS

Advisory board’s surprise vote against OHSU’s takeover of Legacy is not final

A community review board’s unexpected 5-0 vote to recommend the state block OHSU’s purchase of Legacy will be considered by program staff, but is not binding

Apr 8
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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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