oregon health authority

The Oregon Health Authority on Friday released a draft of its requirements for its next round of Medicaid contracts.

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Audit: Oregon’s Program That Monitors Controlled Drugs Is Ineffective, Underused

An analysis by the Secretary of State’s Office found that a program that collects prescription information has loopholes that prevent it being used to stem the opioid epidemic.

The Oregon Health Authority adopted a prescription monitoring program in 2011 to help prevent the abuse of controlled substances like opioids and help ensure that prescription medicines are used safely.

By:

Jessica Floum

Oregon Backs Off Opioid Cutoff Plan For Chronic Pain Patients, Adding Non-drug Treatments

Guidelines discussed Wednesday would align recommendations for opioid prescribing for back pain and five other chronic pain conditions, adding new treatments like yoga, behavioral therapy and massage.

After an uproar from patients, an Oregon pain advisory committee has abandoned a proposal to taper chronic pain Medicaid patients off opioids altogether.

By:

Lynne Terry

The Oregon Health Authority asked Gov. Kate Brown to hike taxes on beer and wine but she balked, saying it would be too hard a lift. But the issue is likely to come up again in the legislative session next year.

In their recent budget pitch, experts at the Oregon Health Authority were clear in declaring “excessive alcohol use” a scourge that fuels domestic violence and leads to birth defects, car wrecks, liver disease and cancer, killing some 2,000 people a year in Oregon.

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Report: Climate Change To Burden Oregon Health Systems

Oregon is likely to see more heat-related deaths, and extremes in weather could create more chronic health issues and lead to more stress, the report says.

Climate change is already having a tangible impact on the Pacific Northwest, and Oregon’s health care and social systems will likely bear a significant burden.

By:

Ericka Cruz Guevarra

State Ethics Officials Fine Former Chief of Benefit Board $20,000

The Oregon Government Ethics Commission fined James Raussen the maximum amount for numerous violations, including a night in Las Vegas, wine tasting, a Portland Trail Blazer playoff game and lavish meals.

Oregon ethics officials have fined the former director of a state agency in charge of insurance benefits for educators $20,000 for numerous violations.

By:

Lynne Terry

Oregon Discourages Excessive Opioid Prescribing In Guidelines For Acute Pain

A state report on opioid prescribing guidelines for acute pain said prescriptions should be a last resort and limited in duration, to decrease chances of long-term use and addiction.

Oregon released guidelines Thursday that encourage providers to prescribe opioids for acute pain only when necessary and to limit the length of time that patients take the painkillers.

By:

Jessica Floum

Nurses Say Bend Hospital Staffing Is Bad For Trauma Patients

Nurses' complaint triggers Oregon Health Authority investigation of St. Charles Health System in Bend.

A team of experts has investigated the operating room at St. Charles Bend, the state's only high-level trauma center east of the Cascades. This came after nurses filed another complaint with the Oregon Health Authority in late September.

By:

Emily Cureton