Siletz Bay Health Advisory Lifted Sept. 4 - 09/04/26

September 4, 2026

Media contacts: Erica Heartquist,  PHD.Communications@oha.oregon.gov

Siletz Bay health advisory lifted Sept. 4

PORTLAND, Ore. - Oregon Health Authority (OHA) today lifted a public health advisory for contact with ocean water at Siletz Bay, located in Lincoln County.

The health authority issued the advisory Sept. 3, after water samples showed higher-than-normal levels of fecal bacteria in ocean waters.

Results from follow-up tests taken by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) showed lower bacteria levels. Contact with the ocean water no longer poses a higher-than-normal risk. Officials recommend staying out of large pools on the beach that are frequented by birds, and runoff from those pools, because the water may contain increased bacteria from fecal matter.

Since 2003, state officials have used a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency grant to monitor popular Oregon beaches and make timely reports to the public about elevated levels of fecal bacteria. Oregon state agencies participating in this program are OHA, DEQ and the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department.

For more information, visit the Oregon Beach Monitoring Program website at http://www.healthoregon.org/beach or call 971-673-0440, or call OHA toll-free information line at 877-290-6767.

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Oceanside Beach Health Advisory Lifted Sept. 4 - 09/04/26

September 4, 2026

Media contacts: Erica Heartquist, PHD.Communications@oha.oregon.gov

Oceanside Beach health advisory lifted Sept. 4

PORTLAND, Ore.—The health authority issued the advisory Sept. 2, after water samples showed higher-than-normal levels of fecal bacteria in ocean waters.

Results from follow-up tests taken by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) showed lower bacteria levels. Contact with the ocean water no longer poses a higher-than-normal risk. Officials recommend staying out of large pools on the beach that are frequented by birds, and runoff from those pools, because the water may contain increased bacteria from fecal matter.

Since 2003, state officials have used a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency grant to monitor popular Oregon beaches and make timely reports to the public about elevated levels of fecal bacteria. Oregon state agencies participating in this program are OHA, DEQ and the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department.

For more information, visit the Oregon Beach Monitoring Program website at http://www.healthoregon.org/beach or call 971-673-0440, or call OHA toll-free information line at 877-290-6767.

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OHA Issues Standing Order For updated COVID-19 vaccines enabling Broad Pharmacy Access - 09/04/26

OHA issues standing order for updated COVID-19 vaccines enabling broad pharmacy access

Order aligns with West Coast Health Alliance recommendations, allows providers to administer vaccines for 2026-2027 respiratory virus season

PORTLAND, Ore.—Oregon Health Authority has issued a standing order that will allow vaccine providers statewide to begin administering updated COVID-19 vaccines as soon as this weekend.

Oregon’s COVID-19 vaccine standing order, issued today and signed by Dean Sidelinger, M.D., M.S.Ed., health officer and state epidemiologist at OHA, aligns with similar protocols in the other three states of the West Coast Health Alliance (WCHA)—Washington, California and Hawaii.

Oregon’s standing order is based on data for those at highest risk for severe outcomes, including recommending COVID-19 vaccination for children younger than 2, adults 65 and older, people of any age with underlying medical conditions, pregnant individuals, previously unvaccinated children, those living in congregate settings, and health care workers. The standing order also recommends COVID-19 vaccines be available to all who choose them—including those between ages 2 and 65—as they have been in previous respiratory virus seasons.

The announcement about the standing order follows West Coast Health Alliance recommendations for the 2026-2027 respiratory virus season. These recommendations are informed by trusted national medical organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), and the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) and viewablehere.

Immunization is the best protection available against respiratory viruses such as COVID-19, influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Seasonal immunization is also a critical public health tool to reduce serious illness including hospitalization and death, community transmission, and health care systems strain.

“We are delighted that anyone who wants protection can get the COVID-19 vaccine starting this weekend,” Sidelinger said. “I join my public health colleagues in the other West Coast Health Alliance member states in celebrating this important step toward ensuring our communities are well prepared for the 2026-2027 respiratory virus season.”

People can get the COVID-19, influenza and RSV vaccines by contacting their health plan, health care provider, county public health clinic or federally qualified health center. They can also search for a clinic by ZIP code by visiting vaccines.gov, or by calling 211 or visiting 211info.org.

About West Coast Health Alliance

The West Coast Health Alliance (WCHA) is a partnership between California, Hawaii, Oregon, and Washington to ensure that public health recommendations are guided by safety, efficacy, transparency, access and trust. For more information, visit Oregon’s WCHA page.

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New Facility Expands Secure Residential Behavioral Health Bed Capacity In Multnomah County - 09/04/26

September 4, 2026  

Media Contact: Kim Lippert, 971-323-3831 Kimberly.l.lippert@oha.oregon.gov

New facility expands secure residential behavioral health bed capacity in Multnomah County

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Mill Beach Health Advisory Lifted Sept. 4 - 09/04/26

September 4, 2026

Media contacts: Erica Heartquist PHD.Communications@oha.oregon.gov

Mill Beach health advisory lifted Sept. 4

PORTLAND, Ore.  - Oregon Health Authority (OHA) today lifted a public health advisory for contact with ocean water at Mill Beach, located in Curry County.

The health authority issued the advisory Sept. 3, after water samples showed higher-than-normal levels of fecal bacteria in ocean waters.

Results from follow-up tests taken by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) showed lower bacteria levels. Contact with the ocean water no longer poses a higher-than-normal risk. Officials recommend staying out of large pools on the beach that are frequented by birds, and runoff from those pools, because the water may contain increased bacteria from fecal matter.

Since 2003, state officials have used a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency grant to monitor popular Oregon beaches and make timely reports to the public about elevated levels of fecal bacteria. Oregon state agencies participating in this program are OHA, DEQ and the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department.

For more information, visit the Oregon Beach Monitoring Program website at http://www.healthoregon.org/beach or call 971-673-0440, or call OHA toll-free information line at 877-290-6767.

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Siletz Bay Health Advisory Issued Sept. 3 - 09/03/26

September 3, 2026

Media contacts: Jonathan Modie PHD.Communications@oha.oregon.gov

Siletz Bay health advisory issued Sept. 3

High bacteria levels prompt OHA recommendation to avoid water contact

PORTLAND, Ore.—Oregon Health Authority (OHA) is issuing a public health advisory today for unsafe levels of fecal bacteria in ocean waters at Siletz Bay in Lincoln County. People should avoid direct contact with the water in this area until the advisory is lifted.

Unsafe levels of fecal bacteria can cause diarrhea, stomach cramps, skin rashes, upper respiratory infections, and other illnesses. Children, elderly and those with a compromised immune system should use extra caution as they are more vulnerable to illness from waterborne bacteria.

Visitors should avoid wading in nearby creeks, pools of water on the beach, or in discolored water, and stay clear of water runoff flowing into the ocean. Levels of fecal bacteria tend to be higher in these types of water sources.

Unsafe levels of fecal bacteria in ocean waters can come from both shore and inland sources including:

• Stormwater runoff
• Sewer overflows
• Failing septic systems
• Animal waste from livestock, pets and wildlife

Even if there is no advisory in effect, avoid swimming in the ocean within 48 hours after a rainstorm.

Ocean waters will be re-tested after an advisory is issued. Once bacteria levels are at a safe level, OHA will notify the public that the advisory is lifted.

While this advisory is in effect at Siletz Bay, state officials continue to encourage other recreational activities (flying kites, picnicking, playing on the beach, walking, etc.) on this beach because they pose no health risk even during an advisory.

For the most recent information on advisories, visit the Oregon Beach Monitoring Program website at http://www.healthoregon.org/beach or call 971-673-0482, or 877-290-6767 (toll-free).

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Mill Beach Health Advisory Issued Sept. 3 - 09/03/26

September 3, 2026

Media contacts: Jonathan Modie PHD.Communications@oha.oregon.gov

Mill Beach health advisory issued Sept. 3

High bacteria levels prompt OHA recommendation to avoid water contact

PORTLAND, Ore.—Oregon Health Authority (OHA) is issuing a public health advisory today for unsafe levels of fecal bacteria in ocean waters at Mill Beach in Curry County. People should avoid direct contact with the water in this area until the advisory is lifted.

Unsafe levels of fecal bacteria can cause diarrhea, stomach cramps, skin rashes, upper respiratory infections, and other illnesses. Children, elderly and those with a compromised immune system should use extra caution as they are more vulnerable to illness from waterborne bacteria.

Visitors should avoid wading in nearby creeks, pools of water on the beach, or in discolored water, and stay clear of water runoff flowing into the ocean. Levels of fecal bacteria tend to be higher in these types of water sources.

Unsafe levels of fecal bacteria in ocean waters can come from both shore and inland sources including:

• Stormwater runoff.
• Sewer overflows.
• Failing septic systems.
• Animal waste from livestock, pets and wildlife.

Even if there is no advisory in effect, avoid swimming in the ocean within 48 hours after a rainstorm.

Ocean waters will be re-tested after an advisory is issued. Once bacteria levels are at a safe level, OHA will notify the public that the advisory is lifted.

While this advisory is in effect at Mill Beach, state officials continue to encourage other recreational activities (flying kites, picnicking, playing on the beach, walking, etc.) on this beach because they pose no health risk even during an advisory.

For the most recent information on advisories, visit the Oregon Beach Monitoring Program website at http://www.healthoregon.org/beach or call 971-673-0482, or 877-290-6767 (toll-free).

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Kaiser Permanente Mt. Talbert Medical Office Is Latest Measles Exposure Location - 09/02/26

September 2, 2026

Media contact: Jonathan Modie, PHD.Communications@oha.oregon.gov

Kaiser Permanente Mt. Talbert Medical Office is latest measles exposure location

Health officials recommend those who were at location during times, dates consider vaccination if not immune

PORTLAND, Ore.—Oregon Health Authority (OHA) and Clackamas County health officials are warning the public about a location where people may have been exposed to measles.

People might have been exposed if they were at the following location at this date and time:

• Kaiser Permanente Mt. Talbert Medical Office, first floor, 10100 SE Sunnyside Road, Clackamas, between 10:31 a.m. and 6:07 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 29.

People who were at this location during this date and time should check their vaccination records and monitor for signs and symptoms of measles. People born after 1957 who have not had measles and have not been vaccinated against measles should receive an MMR vaccine as soon as possible.

Early administration of MMR should be considered for infants as it offers protection during this time that measles is circulating in Oregon. The first dose of MMR may be given as early as 6–12 months old. Children who receive their first dose of MMR prior to 12 months of age should receive two additional doses separated by at least 28 days after 12 months of age. As the number of measles cases rises, people may reconsider their vaccination decisions and discuss them with their medical providers to make sure they and their family members are adequately protected.

Families without a primary care provider can establish care at any of Multnomah County's seven primary care clinics or nine student health centers (based at high schools but open to anyone ages 5-18) by calling 503-988-5558 to make a new patient appointment. Clackamas County residents can schedule an appointment with a Clackamas County Health Center. 

Facts about measles

Measles spreads through the air after a person with measles coughs or sneezes. People are contagious with measles for four days before a rash appears and up to four days afterward. The virus particles also can linger in the air for up to two hours after someone who is infectious has left the area.

Measles typically starts with a fever, cough, runny nose and red eyes. A rash usually follows, beginning on the face and spreading to the rest of the body. Symptoms begin seven to 21 days after exposure to a person with measles. Common complications of measles include ear infection, lung infection and diarrhea. Swelling of the brain is a rare but much more serious complication.

Measles can be dangerous, especially among infants and children younger than 5 years old, adults older than 20 years, pregnant people, and people with weakened immune systems. In developed countries in recent years, one to three out of every 1,000 measles cases has been fatal. The measles vaccine is highly effective at providing protection, as two doses of the MMR vaccine is 97% effective at preventing measles. The risk of severe disease from measles for people who are up to date on their vaccines is very low.

What to do if you suspect measles in your household

Public health officials urge people experiencing symptoms of measles not to arrive unannounced at a medical office if they:

1. Have a measles-like rash, or
2. Have been exposed to measles within the previous 21 days, AND have any other symptom of measles (such as fever, cough, runny nose, and red eyes).

Individuals planning to seek medical care should first call a health care provider or urgent care center by telephone to create an entry plan to avoid exposing others in waiting rooms.

Learn more about measles on OHA’s website.

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Oceanside Beach Health Advisory Issued Sept. 2 - 09/02/26

September 2, 2026

Media contacts: Jonathan Modie PHD.Communications@oha.oregon.gov

Oceanside Beach health advisory issued Sept. 2

High bacteria levels prompt OHA recommendation to avoid water contact

PORTLAND, Ore.—Oregon Health Authority (OHA) is issuing a public health advisory today for unsafe levels of fecal bacteria in ocean waters at Oceanside Beach in Tillamook County. People should avoid direct contact with the water in this area until the advisory is lifted.

Unsafe levels of fecal bacteria can cause diarrhea, stomach cramps, skin rashes, upper respiratory infections, and other illnesses. Children, elderly and those with a compromised immune system should use extra caution as they are more vulnerable to illness from waterborne bacteria.

Visitors should avoid wading in nearby creeks, pools of water on the beach, or in discolored water, and stay clear of water runoff flowing into the ocean. Levels of fecal bacteria tend to be higher in these types of water sources.

Unsafe levels of fecal bacteria in ocean waters can come from both shore and inland sources including:

• Stormwater runoff.
• Sewer overflows.
• Failing septic systems.
• Animal waste from livestock, pets and wildlife.

Even if there is no advisory in effect, avoid swimming in the ocean within 48 hours after a rainstorm.

Ocean waters will be re-tested after an advisory is issued. Once bacteria levels are at a safe level, OHA will notify the public that the advisory is lifted.

While this advisory is in effect at Oceanside Beach, state officials continue to encourage other recreational activities (flying kites, picnicking, playing on the beach, walking, etc.) on this beach because they pose no health risk even during an advisory.

For the most recent information on advisories, visit the Oregon Beach Monitoring Program website at http://www.healthoregon.org/beach or call 971-673-0482, or 877-290-6767 (toll-free).

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Legacy Mount Hood Medical Center, Randall Children's Hospital Are Latest Measles Exposure Locations - 09/01/26

September 1, 2026

Media contact: Jonathan Modie, PHD.Communications@oha.oregon.gov

Legacy Mount Hood Medical Center, Randall Children's Hospital are latest measles exposure locations

Health officials recommend those who were at location during times, dates consider vaccination if not immune

PORTLAND, Ore.—Oregon Health Authority (OHA) and Multnomah County health officials are warning the public about a location where people may have been exposed to measles.

People might have been exposed if they were at the following locations at these dates and times:

• Randall Children’s Primary Care Clinic, 501 N. Graham St., Suite 250, Legacy Emanuel Medical Center, Medical Office Building 2, Portland, between 1:20 p.m. and 4:11 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 25.
• Randall Children’s Hospital Emergency Department waiting room, 2801 N. Gantenbein Ave., Portland, between 3:21 p.m. and 5:23 p.m., Friday, Aug. 28.
• Legacy Mount Hood Medical Center emergency room waiting room and department, 24800 SE Stark St., Gresham, between 10:04 a.m. and 1:49 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 30.

People who were at these locations during these dates and times should check their vaccination records and monitor for signs and symptoms of measles. People born after 1957 who have not had measles and have not been vaccinated against measles should receive an MMR vaccine as soon as possible.

Families without a primary care provider can establish care at any of Multnomah County's seven primary care clinics or nine student health centers (based at high schools but open to anyone ages 5-18) by calling 503-988-5558 to make a new patient appointment.

Facts about measles

Measles spreads through the air after a person with measles coughs or sneezes. People are contagious with measles for four days before a rash appears and up to four days afterward. The virus particles also can linger in the air for up to two hours after someone who is infectious has left the area.

Measles typically starts with a fever, cough, runny nose and red eyes. A rash usually follows, beginning on the face and spreading to the rest of the body. Symptoms begin seven to 21 days after exposure to a person with measles. Common complications of measles include ear infection, lung infection and diarrhea. Swelling of the brain is a rare but much more serious complication.

Measles can be dangerous, especially among infants and children younger than 5 years old, adults older than 20 years, pregnant people, and people with weakened immune systems. In developed countries in recent years, one to three out of every 1,000 measles cases has been fatal.

The measles vaccine is highly effective at providing protection, as two doses of the MMR vaccine is 97% effective at preventing measles. The risk of severe disease from measles for people who are up to date on their vaccines is very low.

What to do if you suspect measles in your household

Public health officials urge people experiencing symptoms of measles not to arrive unannounced at a medical office if they:

1. Have a measles-like rash, or
2. Have been exposed to measles within the previous 21 days, AND

 have any other symptom of measles (such as fever, cough, runny nose, and red eyes).

Individuals planning to seek medical care should first call a health care provider or urgent care center by telephone to create an entry plan to avoid exposing others in waiting rooms.

Learn more about measles on OHA’s website.

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Recreational Use Advisory Issued For Eckman Lake August 28 - 08/28/26

August 28, 2026

Media contact: Larry Bingham, PHD.Communications@oha.oregon.gov

Recreational use advisory issued for Eckman Lake August 28

PORTLAND, Ore.—Oregon Health Authority (OHA) issued a recreational use health advisory today for Eckman Lake due to the presence of a cyanotoxins above Recreational Use Value (RUVs). The lake is in Lincoln County.

People should avoid swimming and other water activities with a high risk of swallowing water or inhaling water droplets in areas of the river, lake or reservoir where blooms are present. Ingestion or inhalation of water is the concern because toxins are not absorbed through the skin. However, those with skin sensitivities may get a puffy red rash.

OHA’s RUVs are designed to protect the most vulnerable, including children, who have a higher activity level and are more likely to swallow water while recreating.

OHA encourages people to visit Eckman Lake and enjoy activities such as camping, hiking, biking, picnicking, bird watching, and motorized or non-motorized boating activities that have a low risk of swallowing or inhaling water droplets.

Drinking water

Drinking water directly from areas of the lake affected by a bloom is especially dangerous. Toxins cannot be removed by boiling, filtering or treating water with camping-style filters. Contact campground management or the local health department with questions about water available at nearby campgrounds or day use areas.

Not all private treatment systems are effective at removing cyanotoxins. People who do not use a well or public water system and draw in-home water directly from an affected area are advised to use an alternative water source for drinking and cooking.

Symptoms for people, pets

Children and pets are at increased risk for exposure because of their size, level of activity, and likelihood of swallowing water.

For people, exposure to cyanotoxins can be serious and cause a range of symptoms. Symptoms may be similar to food poisoning such as stomach cramps, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. Symptoms may also be more serious, such as numbness, tingling, dizziness and shortness of breath. These symptoms may require medical attention.

Dogs can get extremely ill and even die within minutes to hours of exposure to cyanotoxins by drinking the water, licking their fur, or eating the toxins from floating mats or dried crusts along the shore. This is regardless of whether a recreational use health advisory in place. Symptoms in dogs can include difficulty walking, seizures, lethargy, and loss of appetite, and more.  If a dog exhibits symptoms, veterinary treatment should be sought as quickly as possible. OHA recommends keeping dogs on leashes, away from affected water and mat material, to help reduce the chance of exposure.

Fishing

Fish caught from areas where cyanobacteria blooms are present may pose unknown health risks, so OHA recommends not eating fish from those areas. Those who decide to eat the fish should remove fat, skin and organs, where toxins are more likely to build up, before cooking or freezing. Fillets should also be rinsed with clean water.

For health information or to report an illness, contact OHA at 971-673-0482, or visit OHA’s Cyanobacteria (Harmful Algae) Blooms website.

‘Friends For Life’ Aims To Prevent Overdoses Among Oregon Youth, Young Adults - 08/27/26

August 26, 2026

Media contacts:

• Erica Heartquist, Oregon Health Authority, PHD.Communications@oha.oregon.gov

• Liz Merah, Oregon Department of Education, Liz.Merah@ode.oregon.gov

‘Friends for Life’ aims to prevent overdoses among Oregon youth, young adults

New statewide resources give students, families and schools tools to prevent and respond to overdoses

PORTLAND, Ore.—As students return to high school and college, Oregon and Washington state public health and education leaders are encouraging young people and their loved ones to look out for one another through Friends for Life, a new overdose prevention effort focused on teens and young adults ages 13 to 25.

Oregon Health Authority (OHA) and the Oregon Department of Education (ODE), in partnership with the Washington State Health Care Authority, are bringing resources to Oregon to help young people and families talk about fentanyl and other drugs, prevent overdoses, recognize the signs of an overdose and use naloxone.

“Young people want to be there for their friends, so we need to equip young people and the adults in their lives to talk openly about drugs, mental health and supporting each other,” said Tom Jeanne, M.D., MPH, deputy state health officer and deputy epidemiologist at OHA. “With Friends for Life, we’re recognizing the importance of relationships to keep our communities safe and healthy.”

The campaign offers practical, youth-focused resources in English and Spanish at www.orfriendsforlife.com, including information on fentanyl, fake pills, overdose prevention, naloxone, treatment and recovery.

“Our schools play an essential role in helping students build the knowledge, skills and trusted relationships they need to make healthy, informed decisions,” said ODE Director Charlene Williams. “By partnering with families, communities and public health leaders, we can give young people tools to recognize risks, support one another, and know what to do in an emergency.”

Why it matters

Oregon’s overdose deaths have declined over the past two years, reaching a four-year low in 2025. But fentanyl and methamphetamine remain major drivers of overdose deaths, with more than 90% of reported overdose deaths involving fentanyl, methamphetamine or both.

Young people ages 24 and younger accounted for 4% of Oregon’s overdose deaths in 2024. Although youth and young adults represent a small percentage of overdose deaths in Oregon, preventing substance use early in life dramatically reduces future risk of substance use disorder and other related health outcomes. Fifty-nine youth and young adults died from drug overdoses that year, down from 106 in 2023.

Importantly, more than half of youth overdose events involved someone else being present, meaning a friend, family member or other bystander may have been able to call 911 and administer naloxone.

Resources for schools, families and communities

Friends for Life includes:

• A free toolkit for schools and community organizations with materials in seven languages, including posters, wallet cards, rack cards and social media content.
• Technical assistance to help schools and community partners adapt the campaign for their communities.

Oregon’s Friends for Life campaign is supported by federal funding from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“We hope Friends for Life can help us take care of each other by preventing addiction and drug use before it starts, as well as giving people the tools to stay safe,” Jeanne said.

Learn more and access resources at www.orfriendsforlife.com.

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Canby Rodeo Is Latest Measles Exposure Location - 08/26/26

August 26, 2026

Media contact: Jonathan Modie, PHD.Communications@oha.oregon.gov

Canby Rodeo is latest measles exposure location

Oregon WIC Celebrates National Breastfeeding Month As More Than 97% Of Participants?initiate?breastfeeding - 08/25/26

Oregon WIC celebrates National Breastfeeding Month as more than 97% of participants initiate breastfeeding

Oregon To Launch Explore Health This November - 08/21/26

August 21, 2026

Contact: Amy Coven (503-943-0164, amy.coven@oha.oregon.gov)

Oregon to Launch Explore Health this November

Explore Health will replace HealthCare.gov, improving access to financial assistance and quality health coverage.

SALEM, Ore.--Oregon has received conditional approval from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to launch Explore Health, Oregon’s new health insurance marketplace for people who do not have coverage through their job or a medical program like the Oregon Health Plan (OHP), Medicare, or Veterans Affairs (VA) programs.

Beginning Nov. 1, 2026, people in Oregon can use Explore Health to shop for health coverage, find out if they qualify for financial assistance and enroll in a Marketplace plan. The launch marks Oregon’s transition from a federally managed platform to a state-based marketplace and gives the state greater flexibility to respond to the needs of Oregon consumers and communities.

“This approval is an important step toward improving the shopping and customer service experience for people in Oregon who use the Marketplace,” said Chiqui Flowers, director of the Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace. “Explore Health will give Oregon the flexibility to design a Marketplace experience around the needs of our diverse communities and respond to local data, feedback, and changes in federal policy.”

More information about Explore Health, Open Enrollment and how consumers can get help will be available in the coming weeks at ExploreHealthOR.gov.

About Explore Health

The development of Explore Health follows direction from the Oregon Legislature (Senate Bill 972, 2023) and reflects an opportunity to create a marketplace that is responsive to the needs of Oregon consumers, strengthens the state’s approach to connecting people with affordable health coverage, and supports a more coordinated and accessible experience for people seeking coverage.

The transition to Explore Health is informed by the experiences of Oregon consumers, community organizations, health care partners, insurance companies, agents, and partners who understand the state’s health coverage landscape. Feedback from these partners has helped shape how the marketplace will be designed, communicated and delivered, with a focus on making the experience as accessible, understandable and useful as possible.

For more information, including opportunities for partners, community organizations and members of the public to provide input, visit https://orhim.info/sbmtransition.

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21 de agosto de 2026

Contacto: Amy Coven, 503-943-0164, amy.coven@oha.oregon.gov

Oregon Lanzará Explore Health este noviembre

Explore Health reemplazará a CuidadoDeSalud.gov, mejorando el acceso a ayuda financiera y a una cobertura de salud de calidad.

SALEM, Ore.-- Oregon ha recibido la aprobación condicional de los Centros de Servicios de Medicare y Medicaid (CMS, por sus siglas en inglés) para lanzar Explore Health, el nuevo mercado de seguros médicos de Oregon destinado a personas que no cuentan con cobertura a través de su empleo ni de programas médicos como el Plan de Salud de Oregon (OHP, por sus siglas en inglés), Medicare o los programas del Departamento de Asuntos de Veteranos (VA, por sus siglas en inglés).

A partir del 1 de noviembre de 2026, los habitantes de Oregon podrán utilizar Explore Health para buscar cobertura de salud, averiguar si reúnen los requisitos para recibir ayuda financiera e inscribirse en un plan del mercado. Este lanzamiento marca la transición de Oregon de una plataforma administrada por el gobierno federal a un mercado estatal, lo que le da al estado una mayor flexibilidad para responder a las necesidades de los consumidores y las comunidades de Oregon.

"Esta aprobación representa un paso importante para mejorar la experiencia de compra y de atención al cliente para los habitantes de Oregon que utilizan el mercado", señaló Chiqui Flowers, directora del Mercado de Seguros Médicos de Oregon. "Explore Health le dará a Oregon la flexibilidad necesaria para diseñar una experiencia del mercado basada en las necesidades de nuestras diversas comunidades y para responder a la información local, las opiniones de la comunidad y los cambios en las políticas federales".

En las próximas semanas, se podrá encontrar más información sobre Explore Health, el periodo de inscripción abierta y las opciones de ayuda para los consumidores en el sitio web ExploreHealthOR.gov.

Acerca de Explore Health

La creación de Explore Health sigue las indicaciones de la Legislatura de Oregon (Proyecto de Ley del Senado 972, de 2023) y representa una oportunidad para crear un mercado que responda a las necesidades de los consumidores de Oregon, fortalezca la manera en que el estado conecta a las personas con una cobertura de salud asequible y facilite una experiencia más coordinada y accesible para quienes buscan seguro médico.

La transición a Explore Health se basa en las experiencias de consumidores de Oregon, organizaciones comunitarias, socios de atención médica, compañías de seguros, agentes y otras entidades que conocen bien el sistema de cobertura de salud del estado. Los comentarios y sugerencias de estos socios han ayudado a definir como se diseñará, comunicará y operará el mercado, con el objetivo de lograr que la experiencia sea lo más accesible, comprensible y útil posible.

Para obtener más información, incluidas las oportunidades para que los socios, organizaciones comunitarias y el público en general aporten sus comentarios, visite https://orhim.info/sbmtransition.

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Recreational Use Advisory Downgraded To A Precaution For Odell Lake - 08/21/26

August 21, 2026

Media contact: Jonathan Modie, PHD.Communications@oha.oregon.gov

Recreational use advisory downgraded to a precaution for Odell Lake

Pet owners should continue to keep their pets away from areas that appear to have a bloom

PORTLAND, Ore.—Oregon Health Authority (OHA) has downgraded the recreational use health advisory to a precaution for Odell Lake in Klamath County. OHA issued the advisory July 28.

Water monitoring has confirmed that the level of cyanotoxins in Odell Lake is below recreational guideline values for people. However, the detected level is  still above OHA’s educational guideline values for dogs, and owners should keep their pets away from areas with blooms.

OHA advises recreational visitors to continually be alert to signs of cyanobacteria blooms. This is because blooms can develop and disappear on any water body at any time when bloom conditions are favorable. Only a fraction of water bodies in Oregon are monitored for blooms and toxins, so it’s important for people to become familiar with the signs of a bloom, and exposure routes and symptoms by visiting OHA’s Cyanobacteria (Harmful Algae) Blooms website at http://www.healthoregon.org/hab.

When recreating, people, and especially small children, and pets should avoid areas where the water is foamy, scummy, thick like paint, pea-green or blue-green, or if thick brownish-red mats are visible or bright green clumps are suspended in the water. If you see these signs, avoid activities such as swimming or motorized or non-motorized boating activities that cause you to swallow water or inhale droplets, and keep pets out of the area.

Cyanotoxins can still exist in clear water. When a bloom dies, toxins released may reach into clear water around the bloom. Blooms can be pushed into other areas, leaving toxins behind. There also are species of cyanobacteria that anchor themselves at the bottom of a water body, live in the sediment, or can grow on aquatic plants and release toxins into clear water.

For health information or to report an illness, contact OHA at 971-673-0482, or visit OHA’s Cyanobacteria (Harmful Algae) Blooms website.

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Loan Repayment Program Supports, Strengthens Oregon’s Behavioral Health Workforce Statewide - 08/19/26

August 19, 2026

Media Contact: Kim Lippert, 971-323-3831 Kimberly.l.lippert@oha.oregon.gov

Loan repayment program supports, strengthens Oregon’s behavioral health workforce statewide

PORTLAND, Ore. - An Oregon Health Authority (OHA) loan repayment program has helped 276 behavioral health providers remain in the workforce and continue serving Oregonians across the state, including in rural, low-income and culturally diverse communities. The initiative helps address the state’s behavioral healthcare workforce shortage by providing financial relief to providers.

Behavioral health provider roles such as certified alcohol and drug counselors (CADC) and professionals serving in rural, low-income, and culturally diverse communities who understand the specific cultural, geographic, and economic experiences of the populations they serve were identified in the Higher Education Coordinating Commission’s Behavioral Health Talent Assessment as areas of critical shortage and top priorities for workforce development—underscoring the importance of targeted investments like this one.

For Jay VanDenBogaard, a CADC at Oregon State University, the program helped make it possible to continue a 30-year career supporting people navigating substance use disorders.

“This grant gave me new hope and a renewed sense of purpose,” VanDenBogaard said. “For the first time in a long time, I felt like behavioral health was being valued and recognized for its role in public health. It allowed me to focus on my work, the students on campus, and decreasing stigma related to sober curiosity, substance use, and long-term recovery."

The Behavioral Health Workforce Incentive Loan Repayment Program invested approximately $15.4 million to help behavioral health professionals reduce educational debt in exchange for a two-year commitment to continue working in Oregon. By easing financial barriers to staying in the field, the program helped providers build careers in communities they rely on them for behavioral health and substance use disorder services.

"The success of the Behavioral Health Workforce Incentive Loan Repayment Program demonstrates that investing in our workforce strengthens Oregon's behavioral health system," said Ebony Clarke, behavioral health division director at OHA. "By helping providers reduce student loan debt, we've supported dedicated professionals in staying where they're needed most—serving individuals, families, and communities across the state.”

The investment comes at a time when Oregon continues to face significant behavioral health workforce challenges. A workforce that reflects Oregon’s communities does more than increase the number of available providers. Providers who understand the cultural, geographic and economic experiences of the people they serve build trust, reduces barriers to care and provides services that are more responsive to the needs of individuals, families and communities.

The program provided different levels of loan repayment based on a provider’s employment status. Full-time providers could receive repayment of up to 70% of qualifying student loan debt, capped at $100,000, while part-time providers could receive up to 35%, capped at $50,000.

To qualify for the program, providers had to work for an eligible Oregon employer, serve in an approved behavioral health role, possess qualifying student loan debt, and commit to the two-year service obligation.

The program ends in October and was funded through one-time American Rescue Plan Act funding. There are currently no plans to continue the program without additional funding.

Although the program is ending, its impact reflects the value of targeted investments in Oregon’s behavioral health workforce to help providers build sustainable careers, to strengthen connections between providers and communities, and to support access to behavioral health care in communities of all sizes.

Additional information can be found on the OHA Loan Repayment webpage: https://www.oregon.gov/oha/HSD/AMH/Pages/Loan-Repayment.aspx

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Kaiser Permanente Sunnyside Medical Center is latest Measles Exposure location - 08/19/26

August 19, 2026

Media contact: Jonathan Modie, PHD.Communications@oha.oregon.gov

Kaiser Permanente Sunnyside Medical Center is latest measles exposure location

Wildfire Smoke And Evacuation Threats Can Take A Toll On Mental Health - 08/13/26

August 13, 2026

Media contact: Erica Heartquist, PHD.Communications@oha.oregon.gov

Wildfire smoke and evacuation threats can take a toll on mental health

Staying connected, taking breaks from the news and seeking support can help people cope during wildfire season

PORTLAND, Ore - Wildfires can affect more than the air we breathe. The uncertainty of an approaching fire, evacuation warnings, disrupted routines, loss of property or community, and prolonged exposure to wildfire smoke can create stress, anxiety, grief and other emotional responses.

As wildfires and smoke continue to impact communities across Oregon, Oregon Health Authority (OHA) is reminding people that supporting mental health is an important part of wildfire preparedness and recovery.

“It's completely understandable to feel uneasy when wildfires are threatening our communities or when smoke is affecting the air we breathe,” said Dean Sidelinger, M.D., M.S.Ed., OHA health officer and state epidemiologist. “These conditions can take a real toll on our physical and mental health. Taking care of ourselves, staying connected with others and knowing where to turn for support can help us cope during these difficult times.”

Wildfire stress can affect anyone.

People may experience a range of emotions during and after a wildfire, including fear, sadness, anger, grief, helplessness, trouble sleeping or difficulty concentrating. Children and teens may also have strong emotional reactions, even when they do not directly experience a fire or evacuation.

People who have experienced previous disasters or wildfire losses may find that a new fire or smoke event brings back difficult memories.

OHA recommends several ways people can support themselves and others:

Check in with neighbors, friends and coworkers

A simple conversation can help people feel less alone. Reach out to people who may need additional support, including older adults, children, people with disabilities and those who may have difficulty evacuating or accessing resources.

Create space to express emotions

Give people permission to talk about what they are experiencing at their own pace and without judgment. This can be especially important for children and teens.

Encourage rest and recovery

Healing takes time. Maintaining routines when possible, getting enough rest and reconnecting with people and activities that bring comfort can help restore a sense of stability.

Take breaks from the news and social media

Staying informed is important during an emergency, but continuously monitoring wildfire coverage can increase stress and anxiety. Check trusted sources for updates, then give yourself permission to step away.

Prepare for evacuation

Having a plan can reduce some of the uncertainty that comes with a wildfire threat. Know your evacuation zone and routes, sign up for emergency alerts, keep important medications and documents accessible, and have a go-bag ready.

Protecting mental health during smoke events

People do not have to navigate the emotional effects of wildfire alone.

• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 for free, confidential crisis support.
• Lines for Life: 800-923-HELP (4357) provides emotional support and help connecting with resources. Oregon's wildfire recovery resources also direct people to Lines for Life for emotional support, with interpreters available.
• YouthLine: Young people can call 877-968-8491 or text teen2teen to 839863 for support.
• The AgriStress HelpLine is a free, 24/7 hotline for Oregon's agricultural and forestry communities, including farmers, ranchers, fishermen, foresters, and their families. Call or text: (833) 897-2474. Helpline operators are trained to understand the unique stressors and situations of agriculture, forestry, and fishing. All calls are answered within 30 seconds.

People affected by a wildfire who need help finding food, shelter, health care, emotional support or other services can also connect with 211 for local resources.

Support for children and teens

Parents and caregivers can help children feel safer by providing reassurance, maintaining routines when possible and giving children opportunities to ask questions and express their feelings.

During a wildfire or evacuation, children may need additional reassurance and opportunities to reconnect with familiar people and routines. Adults can model healthy coping behaviors by taking breaks, getting rest, talking with others and asking for help when needed.

Additional resources:

• Wildfires and smoke: Oregon Health Authority wildfire resources
• Crisis and trauma resources: OHA Resources for Crisis and Trauma Response
• Wildfire recovery assistance: Oregon Department of Human Services – Get Help After a Wildfire
• Oregon wildfire preparedness and evacuation information: Oregon Department of Emergency Management

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OHA Statement: West Coast Health Alliance Continues To Endorse AAP-recommended Child, Adolescent Immunization Schedules - 08/13/26

August 13, 2026

Contact: Larry Bingham, Larry.Bingham@oha.oregon.gov, 971-239-6499.

OHA statement: West Coast Health Alliance continues to endorse AAP-recommended child, adolescent immunization schedules

PORTLAND, Ore. — The West Coast Health Alliance (WCHA) bases its recommendations for vaccinations on guidelines from trusted professional medical and health organizations representing millions of healthcare providers, reflecting a broad consensus on the safety and benefits of the recommended immunizations.  The Executive Order (EO) issued by the White House regarding childhood vaccine schedule recommendations does not change the WCHA’s position on evidenced-based vaccine guidance.

Earlier this year, the WCHA endorsed the 2026 Recommended Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule issued by the American Academy of Pediatrics. This evidence-based schedule reflects the most current science-based safety and benefits of immunizations that protect children and adolescents from infectious diseases and have saved millions of lives in the United States.

The WCHA also endorses the 2026 Maternal Immunization Schedule issued by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, which recommends routine vaccination during pregnancy to protect pregnant people and infants from serious illness. These immunizations are the most effective way to reduce the risk of infection and complications for both parent and child.

The WCHA believes that immunization guidance from trusted healthcare organizations should continue to serve as the foundation for routinely recommended immunizations and guide conversations between healthcare providers and families. The WCHA also believes that coverage of vaccines, particularly through government programs, is important to allow choice. Our communities deserve vaccination recommendations based on the best available evidence, reviewed by experienced health and science professionals and access to those recommended vaccines.

If you have questions about childhood vaccines and best practice for your family, we encourage you to seek information from your child’s doctor. For more information about immunization guidance, please visit: 

• American Academy of Pediatrics
• American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists 
• American Academy of Family Physicians 
• Vaccine Integrity Project

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Oregon Health Authority Releases Statement On Oregon State Hospital Change Of Leadership - 08/12/26

August 12, 2026

Contact: Larry Bingham, Larry.Bingham@oha.oregon.gov, 971-239-6499.

Oregon Health Authority releases statement on Oregon State Hospital change of leadership

Salem, Ore—Oregon Health Authority releases the following statement:

After careful consideration, Oregon Health Authority Interim Director Pakseresht has made a leadership change at the Oregon State Hospital (OSH) and will not move forward with Sean Murphy’s trial-service period. OHA leadership will resume recruitment for a permanent superintendent.

Effective immediately, Jim Diegel will resume serving as interim superintendent. Jim previously served in this role, has led in implementing positive changes and improvements to patient care at OSH, and will provide continuity and stability while OHA searches for the hospital’s next permanent superintendent while protecting the important progress underway at Oregon State Hospital.

Oregon State Hospital is a uniquely complex and important institution. It requires strong, trusted, accountable leadership, particularly given the needs of patients, families, employees, and the public. Because of this, superintendents are held to the highest standards possible. OHA’s focus is on ensuring that an institution as important as the Oregon State Hospital has the leadership it needs to fulfill its mission and serve patients safely and effectively.

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Coordinated Care Organizations See Financial Improvements - 08/12/26

Coordinated care organizations see financial improvements

Oregon Medicaid investments to preserve quality healthcare access pay off, but financial challenges remain

SALEM, Ore. – The financial stability of most local insurers that facilitate Medicaid benefits in Oregon – also known as coordinated care organizations, or CCOs – improved in 2025, according to new Oregon Health Authority (OHA) analysis. However, individual CCO operating margins varied last year and were collectively lower than historical averages.

The 16 CCOs that operated in Oregon last year earned a net operating profit of $67 million, resulting in an operating margin of 0.8% in 2025. The year before, the same CCOs nearly broke even with a smaller net profit of $129,000 and a profit margin of just 0.001%.

“While the overall financial picture for Oregon’s coordinated care organizations is varied, additional government financial support helped them make a small profit in 2025,” said OHA Chief Financial Officer Rochelle Layton. “OHA is committed to partnering with CCOs to ensure they can meet Medicaid members’ health needs far into the future.”

The vast majority of the approximately 1.4 million people in Oregon who are enrolled in Medicaid have their care managed by CCOs. Medicaid is a joint state-federal program that provides health coverage to adults with lower incomes, children, older adults, and people with disabilities. CCOs were established to lower the overall cost of healthcare through better outcomes and care.

Eleven CCOs operated at a net profit in 2025, while four had a net loss. That’s an improvement from 2024, when nine operated at a net profit and seven had a net loss.

Individual CCO financial performance in 2025 ranged from a high profit margin of 5.39% to a low negative margin of -3.42%. PacificSource Community Solutions did not renew their Medicaid contract in Lane County in 2025 due to financial losses. Another CCO, Trillium Community Health Plan, remains in Lane County and migrated former PacificSource members into their network. PacificSource continues to serve Medicaid members in other areas of the state.

Additional funding buoys CCOs

CCOs collectively spent 9.0% more in 2025 to cover services for their Medicaid members in comparison to the year before. As has long been the case, CCOs’ largest expense category in 2025 was hospital services, which made up 31.8% of all spending on member services. Increased use of mental health and substance use disorder services – which accounted for 22.5% of all member service costs in 2025 – also drove CCO spending.

CCOs fared better in 2025 because OHA was able to provide $149 million in additional funding, $30 million of which came from state general funds while the remaining $119 million came from federal funds. The Oregon Legislature approved the additional state funding in June 2025 as part of the regular budget process after it became clear continued increases in utilization were further straining CCO budgets. In total, this additional funding accounted for about 1.73% of all CCOs’ overall operating revenue last year.

OHA compensates CCOs in two ways: a flat monthly rate for each person whose benefits a CCO coordinates and an annual incentive bonus for improving care quality for CCO members. The monthly payments, also known as capitation rates, are updated annually.

OHA recognized CCOs were facing financial challenges while it was developing 2026 capitation rates last year. To protect quality healthcare access for the state’s Medicaid members, OHA increased 2026 CCO capitation rates by about 10%.   

Looking to the future

To develop 2027 capitation rates, OHA is factoring in CCOs’ 2025 financial performance as well as their available financial and claims data for 2026. OHA will finalize 2027 capitation rates by the end of this year.

Preliminary data collected so far this year suggests most CCOs have experienced further financial improvements because of the higher rates they are receiving. Through March 31, 2026, CCOs collectively spent 88.4% of their total revenue on member services and 9.9% on administrative services, leaving a 1.7% profit margin.

Historically, Oregon CCOs have collectively had profit margins as high as 7.5% in 2014, when the Affordable Care Act expanded Medicaid eligibility criteria, and as low as -0.3% in 2017, when the eligibility of some Medicaid members was redetermined after OHA completed a comprehensive review of Oregon Medicaid enrollment.

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Legacy Mount Hood Medical Center Is Latest Measles Exposure Location - 08/11/26

Measles is very contagious and you could give it to someone in a waiting room. If you believe you've been exposed, it's important to tell your doctor or clinic that you have symptoms of measles before you go. They will give you instructions for what to do so that you don't spread measles.

August 11, 2026

Contact: Larry Bingham, PHD.Communications@oha.oregon.gov

Legacy Mount Hood Medical Center is latest measles exposure location

Crisis To Care Guide To Help Families Navigate Emergency Department Visits - 08/10/26

August 10, 2026

Contact:

• Kim Lippert, Oregon Health Authority, 971-323-3831, kimberly.l.lippert@oha.oregon.gov
• Karin Holton, Oregon Family Support Network, (503) 363-8068, karinh@ofsn.net

Crisis to Care Guide to help families navigate emergency department visits

SALEM, Ore.–When a child or teen experiences a behavioral health crisis, parents are often forced to make life-changing decisions with little information and support. A behavioral health crisis is a critical, acute situation in which a person’s thoughts, emotions, or behaviors become so overwhelming that they can no longer safely cope, and there may be risk of harm to themselves or others. Questions like: What happens next? What should I ask? Will my child be safe? These can feel overwhelming during an emergency.

To help answer those questions, Oregon Health Authority (OHA) and Oregon Family Support Network (OFSN) have launched the Crisis to Care Guide, a free online resource to help parents and caregivers understand what to expect before, during, and after a behavioral health-related emergency department visit.

The website was developed by parents, caregivers, and youth, with input from healthcare professionals, behavioral health providers and community partners throughout Oregon. Rather than simply explaining emergency room procedures, the guide is written through the voices of families who have experienced these situations, offering practical advice, encouragement, and reassurance alongside clinical information.

“No parent expects to face a behavioral health crisis with their child,” said Karin Holton, community engagement and development director for Oregon Family Support Network. “Families tell us they want to know what to expect, what questions to ask and how to best advocate for their child and family. The Crisis to Care Guide is an update to an earlier Oregon Health Authority guide with information, guidance, and resources and to remind families that they are not alone.”

The guide contains practical information on:

• Recognizing when a behavioral health emergency may require emergency care.
• Preparing for an emergency department visit.
• What families can expect during evaluation and treatment.
• Communicating with providers and advocating for their child.
• Questions to ask before leaving the hospital.
• Creating a safety plan for returning home and connecting with ongoing supports.
• Caring for yourself while caring for your child.
• Oregon resources, peer support, and community services.

“Families are critical partners in supporting a child’s behavioral health, especially during a crisis,” said Ebony Clarke, behavioral health director, Oregon Health Authority. “The Crisis to Care Guide reflects Oregon’s commitment to giving families clear information, practical resources, and compassionate support when they need it most. We’re proud to partner with Oregon Family Support Network to make this updated guide available to families across the state.”

The guide is also intended to support emergency departments, behavioral health providers, schools, pediatricians, mobile crisis teams, and community organizations. Hospitals and providers are encouraged to share the resource with families before discharge and whenever behavioral health support is needed.

In addition to the online resource, print versions are available by emailing admins@ofsn.net.

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About Reach Out Oregon

Reach Out Oregon, a program of Oregon Family Support Network, connects families with trusted information, peer support and resources to help them navigate parenting challenges, behavioral health concerns, and life’s unexpected moments. Through education, connection and lived experience, Reach Out Oregon helps ensure that no family has to navigate these challenges alone.

About OHA

Oregon Health Authority (OHA) works to improve the lifelong health and well-being of all people in Oregon by expanding access to quality health care, strengthening behavioral health services, advancing public health, and reducing health inequities.

Clackamas Medical Office is latest Measles Exposure location - 08/07/26

August 7, 2026 

Media contact: Larry Bingham, PHD.Communications@oha.oregon.gov

Clackamas medical office is latest measles exposure location

Health officials recommend those who were at the location during the specified dates and times – to consider vaccination if they’re not immune.

Randall Children’s Hospital is latest Measles Exposure location - 08/06/26