State Health Policy

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YEONHEE LEE/PIXABAY

Legislation seeks stable funding for new 988 crisis hotline

The bill would establish a new cell phone tax to fund a hotline that advocates and lawmakers say is key to rebuilding Oregon’s mental health services. 

Feb 7
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OREGON HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES IN SALEM./PHOTOATELIER/WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

Bills seek $185 million for local public health and behavioral health workers

Despite previous funding approved by the Oregon Legislature, proponents say the spending is needed to shore up a workforce teetering on collapse. 

Feb 2
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SHUTTERSTOCK

Some hospitals allowed secrecy around ‘crisis’ care standards, others aren’t

Depending on which regulation they cite, hospitals can keep their “crisis” from regulators, patients and the public.

Feb 2
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Peer support specialists working for Malheur County offered Narcan, an overdose-reversing drug, to people stopping by a day shelter in Ontario on Oct. 13, 2022. | KYLE GREEN/THE LUND REPORT

Legislation to slow opioid overdoses draws broad support

Proponents showed up in force to support legislation that would clear legal hurdles preventing wider distribution of naloxone, an opioid overdose-reversing drug.

Jan 31
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Emily Savage and Michael Daher, who manage Myrtle Drugs in Myrtle Creek, told the House Behavioral Health and Health Care Committee during an online hearing on Jan. 24, 2023, that pharmacy benefit managers' business practices are destabilizing independent pharmacies. | SCREENGRABS VIA OLIS.OREGONLEGISLATURE.GOV/THE LUND REPORT

Drug supply companies squeezing pharmacies out of existence, Oregon lawmakers warn

Seven bills, featuring bipartisan support, aim to clamp down on pharmacy benefit managers.

Jan 26
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Oregon State Capitol in Salem. | BEN BOTKIN/THE LUND REPORT

Workforce, mental health top health care priorities as Oregon legislative session begins 

Lawmakers don’t have a price tag yet for training more health care workers and expanding mental health services.

Jan 19
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Oregon State Capitol in Salem. | RENAUDE HATSEDAKIS

Changes to Measure 110 likely this legislative session

Key Oregon legislators outline areas of the drug decriminalization law they hope to improve upon.

Jan 19
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LYNNE TERRY/THE LUND REPORT

Legacy Health will appeal federal ruling on state meal break rules

Facing $8.7 million in fines, Legacy says the state's meal break rules are unfair and penalize systems where employees are not represented by unions.

Jan 17
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PIXABAY

‘Microdosing’ allowed under Oregon’s new psilocybin program

Despite concerns, adults will soon be allowed to legally take psilocybin in Oregon at doses so small they won’t cause hallucinations. 

Jan 17
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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

Bills to make naloxone more accessible seek to slow opioid fatalities in Oregon

The medication is effective in reversing opioid overdoses, but administrative hurdles prevent it from being more available. 

Jan 17
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