Behavioral Health

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Oregon State Hospital in Salem. | OREGON HEALTH AUTHORITY

Oregon health officials will appeal federal contempt-of-court finding

Critics say Oregon has had plenty of time to invest in fixes to ensure prompt care of mentally ill people housed in jail, but the state officials say a new ruling levying hefty fines was unfair and unfounded

Jun 19
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Oregon State Hospital in Salem. | BEN BOTKIN/THE LUND REPORT

Deciphering the federal contempt order against Oregon health officials

Hefty fines and a beefed-up state watchdog will add to existing pressure over constitutional violations, but some are worried that other issues won’t be addressed

Jun 10
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Dr. Amanda Risser, chief medical officer at Central City Concern. | COURTESY OF CENTRAL CITY CONCERN

Q&A: Amanda Risser takes over as top doc at Central City Concern

The new head of medical care for the region’s largest homeless service provider talks about looming Medicaid cuts, weak links in the system, and priorities for the future

Jun 3
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Oregon State Hospital in Salem. | OREGON HEALTH AUTHORITY

Oregon’s mental health needs outweigh its ability to provide services, report shows

Limited data collection and inadequate funding are key barriers to Oregon’s behavioral health improvement efforts

May 9

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SHUTTERSTOCK

Contentious bill backed by behavioral health providers gets another hearing

A revised version of the bill affecting medical and behavioral care for foster kids and others in the custody of the state has won another hearing after facing major criticisms earlier in the session

May 8

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A rendering of the Western State Forensic Hospital in Lakewood, Wash. | HOK ARCHITECTURE

Construction proceeds on 350-bed Washington state psychiatric hospital

The Western State Forensic Hospital is intended to help reduce wait times for mental health evaluations and treatment

May 6

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Tents in downtown Portland on March 14, 2022. | SHUTTERSTOCK

'Administrative collapse:' Advocates blame evictions on new Oregon Health Authority housing program

People and providers have spent months trying to tap a new program intended to support health by keeping people out of homelessness, and they say that in the Portland area it's turned into a bureacratic nightmare in which the promised help often does not arrive in time

May 1
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Oregon State Hospital in Salem. | BEN BOTKIN/THE LUND REPORT

Updated: Oregon State Hospital's new 30-day safety plan provides broad strokes but few details

The three-page plan focuses on assessing patients risks, increasing staffing to operate more like a 24/7 hospital, and providing clearer direction and empowerment to staff

Apr 30
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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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