State Health Policy

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Oregon Recovers co-founder and director, Mike Marshall (at right), speaks at an Oregon Recovers event last year. Tony Vezina, founder and director of 4D Recovery stands at left. | COURTESY OREGON RECOVERS

Advocates urge bold action to address Oregon’s addiction crisis

Oregon Recovers wants state officials to declare a state emergency and mobilize a response that includes temporary field services, immediate access to care and changes to Measure 110

Sep 13, 2023
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Oregon State Hospital in Salem. | OREGON HEALTH AUTHORITY

Marion County sues Oregon State Hospital over treatment

Seeking home turf after a federal court ruling, Marion County wants a local court to find that the state is not fulfilling its duties to patients and the public

Sep 12, 2023

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Dean Kienholz in his office at Columbia River Correctional Institution in Portland, Ore. on July 19, 2023. Kienholz is a prisoner who became a certified alcohol and drug counselor while incarcerated. | EMILY GREEN/THE LUND REPORT

A prison pipeline that could help meet Oregon’s behavioral health workforce needs

The state corrections department is expanding a program that certifies prisoners to be drug and alcohol counselors and mentors — and it couldn’t happen at a better time

Aug 25, 2023

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Former legislative aide Kristina Narayan is going back to work for Tina Kotek, now in the governor's office. | COURTESY OF CAREOREGON

Kotek taps former aide to help with health care

Kristina Narayan has worked in and around Salem and Oregon health care for much of her career

Aug 24, 2023
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PRISCILLA DU PREEZ/UNSPLASH

State health care helpline makes Oregonians wait too long, federal officials say

People may not be getting coverage because wait times are so long, feds warn Oregon and 16 other states

Aug 22, 2023
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THE LUND REPORT ILLUSTRATION/SHUTTERSTOCK

Oregon should improve oversight of insurers’ prescription drug program managers, auditors say

Other states better protect patients and pharmacies from the practices of pharmacy benefit managers, known as PBMs, auditors found

Aug 21, 2023

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SHUTTERSTOCK

Measure 110 program manager resigns, says state was ‘maliciously negligent’

Angela Carter said Oregon Health Authority ignored repeated requests for staffing and resources and fostered secrecy and manipulation as the drug decriminalization law rolled out

Aug 11, 2023
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Oregon State Hospital in Salem. | OREGON HEALTH AUTHORITY

Rights group accuses Marion County judges of ‘obstructing’ state hospital discharges

In a new filing, Disability Rights Oregon says some judges and other officials are thwarting a federal court order intended to open up beds at the state psychiatric facility

Aug 10, 2023
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Tina Kotek | COURTESY PHOTO

Kotek approves universal health care board but cites concerns

Governor calls $2-million plan costly, potentially duplicative, but supporters say it’s a crucial step toward needed reform.

Aug 8, 2023
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Juliana Wallace will advise Gov. Tina Kotek on behavioral health policy starting Sept. 5. | COURTESY GOV. TINA KOTEK'S OFFICE

Kotek hires Portland social worker and manager to advise her on behavioral health 

Juliana Wallace has avoided the spotlight while serving in a range of jobs that supporters say make her a good pick to help improve the state’s behavioral health system.

Aug 3, 2023
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