State Health Policy

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The Oregon Health Authority headquarters in Salem | JAKE THOMAS/THE LUND REPORT

Oregon officials, experts grappled behind the scenes with youth gender-affirming care guideline

Records show how state medical advisors decided questions around youth transgender care were outweighed by a state law ensuring access

Dec 12, 2024

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Students at the OHSU School of Nursing Ashland Campus learn, practice and refine nursing skills at the campus’ Simulation and Clinical Learning Center. | COURTESY OF OHSU/ALLEN HALLMARK

Growing ranks of Oregon nurses not enough to ease shortages, expert warns lawmakers

Oregon is steadily graduating new nurses or attracting them from other states. But the leader of a local nursing think tank says too many are fleeing jobs because of working conditions

Dec 11, 2024
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The headquarters building in Salem of the Oregon Health Authority. | STATE OF OREGON

Additional feedback sought on care for low-income Oregonians

Three public meetings Thursday seek comment on Oregon's coordinated care organizations as the state considers changes to contracts under the Oregon Health Plan

Dec 10, 2024

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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
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The Oregon State Capitol in November 2024. | JAKE THOMAS/THE LUND REPORT

Oregon Gov. Kotek seeks state hospital fixes, more mental health in budget asks

As the legislative session looms, Kotek unveiled a spending plan that aims to bring Oregon closer to its treatment bed goal, ease federal scrutiny of the state hospital and put the Oregon Health Plan on better footing

Dec 3, 2024
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A view of OHSU's South Waterfront campus in September 2024. | JAKE THOMAS/THE LUND REPORT

Opinion: Top state officials need to ensure OHSU-Legacy merger questions are addressed

Gov. Tina Kotek, Attorney General-elect Dan Rayfield and the Oregon Health Authority should fix the review process, demand more detail from Oregon Health & Science University and Legacy Health and ensure transparency before any merger is approved, according to a longtime Oregon health economist

Nov 19, 2024

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SHUTTERSTOCK

State halts health insurance website contracting amid fairness concerns

The legislatively mandated project will be delayed after state officials last week canceled a contracting process amid undisclosed concerns. They say they'll start a new one immediately.

Nov 19, 2024

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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
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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
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A view of OHSU's South Waterfront campus in September 2024. | JAKE THOMAS/THE LUND REPORT

Kitzhaber sounds alarm over proposed takeover of Legacy Health by OHSU

State leaders should explore bailout of financially distressed Legacy unless Oregon Health & Science University can make clear case for merger — which it has not done yet, according to influential former governor

Nov 7, 2024