Put Your Health, Well-being At The Top Of New Year’s Goals -12/31/24

December 31, 2024

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

Put your health, well-being at the top of New Year’s goals

Tips include vaccinations, quitting tobacco, reducing excessive alcohol use, getting active, supporting your mental health and eating better

PORTLAND, Ore.— Whether choosing to get vaccinated against respiratory diseases or quitting tobacco, the decisions you make about your health affect not only longevity and quality of life, but the health of the entire state. That’s one reason Oregon Health Authority is offering a few ideas for anyone setting goals and making resolutions for the new year.  When it comes to health, we’re all connected.

Here are some ways to prioritize your health and well-being in 2025:

Get vaccinated

Protect your families, co-workers, neighbors and community from influenza, COVID-19, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and pertussis, also known as whooping cough. Cases of these infections have been on the rise across Oregon, but it’s not too late to get shots for all four. You can find flu, COVID-19 and RSV vaccinations by visiting Vaccines.gov or calling 211. For pertussis, talk to your health care provider about vaccination, which is required in Oregon for children and adolescents, and recommended for adults.

Quit tobacco

Nearly 7 in 10 Oregonians who smoke want to quit. If you or someone you know is ready to quit tobacco, free help is available. Contact the Oregon Quit Line at 1-800-QUIT-NOW or online at https://quitnow.net/oregon or in Spanish at 1-855-DÉJELO-YA or online at https://quitnow.net/oregonsp.

Move more

Add getting outside and moving more as a family activity in the evenings. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that children and adolescents get 60 minutes of aerobic physical activity each day. The Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, 2nd edition outlines the amounts and types of physical activity needed to maintain or improve overall health and reduce the risk of chronic disease.

Eat better

Shared and family meals not only improve nutrition but also build stronger family bonds and emotional health. CDC offers ideas for having healthier meals and snacks, and tips for healthy eating to maintain a healthy weight.

Drink less

Raising awareness of the effects of excessive alcohol use across Oregon and giving people tools to start conversations about alcohol’s role in their lives—including during the holidays—are goals of OHA’s Rethink the Drink initiative. RTD resources can help people cut back on their drinking or reduce the impact that excessive drinking has in their communities.

Test for radon

Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that comes up from the ground through cracks and gaps, and is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States after cigarette smoking, and the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers. Home radon test kits cost between $15 and $30, though people may qualify for free kits if they live in ZIP codes with fewer than 20 radon test results recorded. Free test kits are available while supplies last.

Look after your mental health and well-being

• OHA provides support for Community Mental Health Programs that provide services related to mental health, substance use, and problem gambling, in counties and communities across Oregon. A directory of these services, listed by county can be found
• In Oregon, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The easy-to-remember 988 number is available for people experiencing any type of mental health challenge, substance use crisis or thoughts of suicide or self-harm. Anyone who needs support can call, text or chat in English and Spanish (interpretation services and American Sign Language are also available) and connect with trained crisis counselors. The 988 Lifeline is also a resource for friends and families concerned about a loved one.
• Online resources from Sources on Strength - Sources of Strength has two online resource packets. The first is Resources for Practicing Strength at Home, and the second is a shorter version that also offers a wellness plan. Any resource in these packets can be used in classrooms, staff meetings, in individual or group counseling, or to practice strength wherever you are. 

Find health care coverage or renew benefits

• Find free assistance to locate health care coverage. Anyone in Oregon can obtain free help from community partners, insurance agents or for Medicare recipients, Senior Health Insurance Benefits Assistance (SHIBA) counselors across the state to find out which health coverage option could work for you. Health insurance coverage options are described at OregonHealthCare.Gov/GetHelp. 
• Renew your Oregon Health Plan (OHP / Medicaid) coverage. If you received a notice to renew your OHP benefits, learn more about how to renew your OHP coverage or log into your ONE Online account and complete your renewal at oregon.gov. You can also call the ONE Customer Service Center at 800-699-9075. Download the Oregon ONE Mobile app via the app store to keep track of your renewal, find a local office, or upload a document. 

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State Ends Year With Highest Pertussis Case Count Since 1950 -12/30/24

December 30, 2024

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

State ends year with highest pertussis case count since 1950

As Oregon sweeps past the 1,100 cases mark, health officials remind everyone that vaccination against whooping cough is best way to prevent transmission

PORTLAND, Ore.—Oregon swept past the 1,100 mark for the number of pertussis cases it’s seen during 2024, beating its 2012 record of 910 cases in a single year—and making the need for people to stay up to date with their vaccinations all the more urgent.

As of Monday, Dec. 30, Oregon Health Authority registered 1,105 cases of pertussis—also known as whooping cough—during 2024. There were 44 outbreaks, although the majority of cases were sporadic individual or household-related cases and not associated with outbreaks. The 2024 count represents the highest number of pertussis cases reported in Oregon in a single year since 1950, when 1,420 cases were reported.

Since 2003, eight Oregonians with pertussis have died. Five were younger than 4 months old, and there have been three deaths in adults – one in 2023 and two in 2024.

While Oregon didn’t beat its 74-year record for most cases in a year, 1,105 is still an extremely high number for a vaccine-preventable disease, said Paul Cieslak, M.D., medical director for communicable diseases and immunizations at OHA’s Public Health Division. It’s also a stark reminder of how quickly the bacterial infection can spread and cause illness, particularly among people who are under- or unvaccinated.

“The pertussis vaccine is a public health success story in terms of its effectiveness in reducing severe illness and deaths from the disease—particularly among infants,” Cieslak said.

According to data from the epidemiologists in Oregon Public Health Division’s Acute and Communicable Disease Prevention Section, the median age of the 2024 cases is 12; 7.2% of cases are less than a year old, 80% are 18 or younger and 50% are female. About half of the cases are up to date with pertussis vaccines.

Lane County has reported the highest number of pertussis cases this year with 315. Rounding out the top five counties are Multnomah, 235 cases; Clackamas, 135; Washington, 119; and Marion, 75.

Pertussis case counts vary considerably from year to year, routinely reaching triple digits. However, during the COVID-19 pandemic, restrictions such as masking requirements and school closures were in effect, which kept annual case counts low, Cieslak said. Vaccination rates also slipped.

“People were less motivated to get vaccinated against pertussis when there was less concern they would be exposed to the infection in the first place,” he said.

But with pertussis activity so high this year, there are more opportunities for people to be exposed, Cieslak noted. Those who are unvaccinated or too young to be vaccinated, such as infants, are at the highest risk from infection, with babies most likely to be hospitalized with pertussis.

But there are ways to protect vulnerable individuals. Pregnant people can protect their young babies by getting the Tdap vaccine—which protects against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis—at 27–36 weeks’ gestation. Mothers will make antibodies and pass them to their babies across the placenta, protecting them from the moment of birth. It is recommended during each pregnancy.

“In recent years, about two-thirds of pregnant Oregonians have been getting vaccinated during pregnancy,” Cieslak said. “However, only 11 of the mothers of the 80 infant cases this year had documentation of having gotten the recommended shot.”

Vaccination against pertussis is routinely recommended for infants, children, adolescents and adults. Children should receive the DTaP vaccine against diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis at 2, 4, 6 and 15 to 18 months old, and again at age 4 to kindergarten age. All persons 10 years old and older should receive a single dose of Tdap.

“Additionally, when pertussis strikes a household in which an infant or pregnant person lives, we recommend all members of the household receive a course of antibiotics effective against Bordetella pertussis—typically, a five-day course of azithromycin,” Cieslak said.

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Oregon Continues High Medicaid Renewal Rate Following Pandemic -12/23/24

December 23, 2024

Media contacts: 

• Franny White, Oregon Health Authority, franny.l.white@oha.oregon.gov, 971-349-3539
• Jake Sunderland, Oregon Department of Human Services, Jake.Sunderland@odhs.oregon.gov, 503-877-0170 

Oregon continues high Medicaid renewal rate following pandemic 

Benefit reduction rate increasing as more complex cases reviewed in final phase of state’s renewal process 

SALEM, Ore. — Four out of five Oregonians have kept their Medicaid health insurance coverage since COVID-related continuous enrollment ended in 2023, according to updated data from Oregon Health Authority.  

While the overall number of people maintaining coverage has remained high, the rate of benefits being reduced or ended has recently grown as more complex cases are considered during the final phase of Oregon’s Medicaid renewal process. 

Jointly funded by states and the federal government, Medicaid provides no-cost health coverage to low-income adults, children, pregnant women, elderly adults, people with disabilities and others. The Oregon Health Plan (OHP) is the state’s Medicaid program, which is also available to Oregonians regardless of their immigration status. About 1.4 million people — including a third of Oregon’s adults and half its children — are covered by OHP. 

States were required to keep nearly all Medicaid members enrolled between 2020 and 2023 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Starting in March 2023, the federal government ordered states to resume normal processes to verify enrolled members meet Medicaid eligibility criteria.

Between March 2023 and Dec. 13, 2024, a total of: 

• 1,442,038 people — 98.8% of all OHP and Medicaid members — have completed the renewal process.
• 1,161,226 people (80.5%) have kept their benefits.
• 245,259 people (17.0%) were found ineligible and ended benefits.
• 35,553 people (2.5%) had benefits reduced. Most of these members lost full OHP but were able to continue Medicare Savings Programs, which help pay Medicare costs.
• 15,784 people are in the middle of the renewal process.
• 1,485 people have not started the renewal process and are expected to complete it by the end of 2025.

Since June, when Oregon began the final phase of its Medicaid renewal process: 

• 126,212 people have completed the renewal process.
• 79,014 — 62.6% of OHP and Medicaid members who have undergone the renewal process since June — have kept their benefits.
• 22,534 (17.9%) were found ineligible and ended benefits.
• 24,664 (19.5%) have had benefits reduced.   

The rate of people having benefits reduced or ended has grown since June 2024. This is largely because the final phase of renewals has involved more people who have Medicare, including both older adults and people who have disabilities. Given current eligibility criteria and policy constraints, OHA and Oregon Department of Human Services staff have been working hard to improve outcomes for members during the state’s final phase of Medicaid renewals, including: 

• A special outreach effort where state customer service staff call members to help them understand it’s time to start the renewal process and schedule eligibility interviews. Members who have a case manager also received calls to encourage them to participate in the Medicaid renewal process.
• Renewals for this population was spread over four months to give people more time and to ensure staff had capacity to provide additional support.
• Eligibility notices received a major update in May 2024 to provide more information and make them easier to understand. 

Helping people stay covered

Concerted efforts have helped many Oregonians keep insurance coverage, resulting in a Georgetown University study finding that Oregon had the nation’s highest rate for Medicaid renewals as of July. The many reasons for the state’s high Medicaid renewal rate include: 

• OHP Bridge, a new category of OHP with higher income limits, launched July 1. As of the beginning of December, 31,436 people were enrolled in OHP Bridge.
• During the unwinding, Oregonians have up to 90 days to respond and 60 days’ advance notice of any closure. People who do not respond can also reopen their case up to 90 days after closing. Oregon gave members longer to respond than any other state.
• A robust, statewide network of community partners, combined with tools like earned media and paid advertising, helped spread awareness of the renewal process.
• After having their medical benefits renewed, most adults have two years of continuous eligibility for Medicaid benefits. While this does not directly affect Oregon’s renewal rate, it prevents the churn of on-and-off benefits between renewals and allows staff to provide more support to people during the unwinding process. Oregon is the only state to give most adults two years of continuous eligibility for Medicaid benefits, and offers young children benefits until their sixth birthday. 

Need help renewing your benefits?

1. Learn more about how to renew your OHP coverage. You can log into your ONE Online account and complete your renewal at benefits.oregon.gov.
2. Call the ONE Customer Service Center at 800-699-9075. All relay calls are accepted, and help is available in multiple languages. Wait times are lowest between 7 and 8 a.m. Pacific Time.
3. Visit or call a local Oregon Department of Human Services office. People can find their local office at https://www.oregon.gov/odhs/Pages/office-finder.aspx.
4. Visit a community partner for free, in-person help. To find one near you visit OregonHealthCare.gov/GetHelp (English) or orhim.info/ayuda (Spanish).
5. Download the Oregon ONE Mobile app via the app store to keep track of your renewal, find a local office, or upload a document. 

What to do if your OHP is ending:

First, review your notice to make sure the information used to make the decision was correct, and report any changes. You can also reapply for OHP at any time. Go to benefits.oregon.gov to apply or report changes online, call 800-699-9075 or contact a local office for help. 

• If you have questions about financial resource limits, medical eligibility workers will explain the rules and your options. However, they cannot provide legal advice or tell you what to do with your finances. 
• If you lost OHP but are keeping a Medicare Savings Program that helps pay Medicare costs, make sure you understand your new benefits because they can affect your other Medicare plan decisions.
• If you disagree with a decision about your benefits, you can ask for a hearing . An OHP ombuds person can help with the hearing if desired. 

Second, take action to sign up for other coverage as soon as you receive a notice your benefits are closing because there are time limits to enroll in other coverage. Anyone losing OHP can get free help from community partners, insurance agents or for Medicare recipients, Senior Health Insurance Benefits Assistance (SHIBA) counselors across the state. Health insurance coverage options are described at OregonHealthCare.Gov/GetHelp. Some scenarios include: 

• If you are offered coverage through an employer, loss of OHP gives you a special enrollment period to sign up. Contact your employer’s human resources department for more information and assistance.
• If you qualify for Medicare (or will soon qualify), you should consider Medigap/Medicare Advantage/Part D plan options. Members should contact a SHIBA counselor or Medicare insurance agent for help deciding between Medicare options.
• If you do not qualify for employer coverage or Medicare, you likely qualify for a private health insurance plan through the Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace, which offers financial assistance to 80% of enrollees.  This includes Social Security Disability (SSDI) recipients who are not receiving Medicare or other full coverage and earn too much to qualify for OHP and OHP Bridge. Members can visit OregonHealthCare.gov/WindowShop to find out how much coverage may cost. 

Give The Gift Of Health By Getting Respiratory Virus Vaccinations -12/19/24

EDITORS: Dr. Sidelinger will answer reporter questions during a virtual media availability between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. today (Dec. 19). Interested reporters can join anytime during that hour via Zoom at this link. A livestream for the public also is available via YouTube at this link.

December 19, 2024

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

Give the gift of health by getting respiratory virus vaccinations

OHA urges people to know their risks and to prevent COVID-19, flu, RSV

PORTLAND, Ore.—As the remaining days of 2024 tick down, public health officials are hopeful people in Oregon will consider giving themselves and their loved ones the gift of health by getting vaccinated against respiratory viruses.

The holidays are a good time to get vaccinated against influenza, COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, health officials say. It’s often when circulation of the viruses is highest because people are gathering indoors for seasonal celebrations. In fact, Oregon Health Authority epidemiologists saw an increase in respiratory virus transmission following Thanksgiving, and they expect a similar bump following late-December and early January holidays.

“Every respiratory virus season has the potential to be a bad respiratory virus season, and activity levels we’re seeing for both influenza and RSV are telling us the 2024-2025 season is no exception,” said Dean Sidelinger, M.D., M.S.Ed., health officer and state epidemiologist at OHA. “Everyone should get the flu and COVID-19 vaccines now, and those in high-risk groups—infants, young children, older adults, and pregnant persons—should also get the RSV vaccine.”

Influenza, COVID-19 and RSV have all seen increasing activity in recent weeks.

While influenza activity remained low for much of October—the first week of October is considered the unofficial start of influenza season in Oregon—there was a slow but steady increase in percent of flu tests that were positive during November. Percent positivity went from an average of just below 1% during October to 5.7% by the week ending Nov. 30. It’s now 18.7%.

Hospitalizations for influenza also increased, according to OHA’s weekly Flu Bites report.

“Influenza season has definitely arrived,” Sidelinger said. “And, RSV isn’t far behind.”

After staying at or below 1% between the weeks ending Oct. 5 and Nov. 23, RSV test positivity has since increased to 3.2% for the week ending Dec. 14.

COVID-19 has also seen a bump in activity in recent weeks. Test positivity increased between the weeks ending Nov. 30 and Dec. 14, from 2.4% to 3.2%, according to data that comes from the National Respiratory and Enteric Virus Surveillance System (NREVSS), which collects voluntary reports of the total number of weekly aggregate tests performed and weekly aggregate positive tests from participating U.S. laboratories.

The number of hospitalized COVID-19 positive patients around the state steadily decreased between September, when it stayed at or just above 200 per day, and the end of November, when the daily count dropped below 100. But it appears, for now, to be on the rise again.

Effective tools to help people protect themselves are available, Sidelinger says. OHA continues to promote the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ fall respiratory season campaign, Risk Less. Do More. The campaign aims to increase awareness of vaccines that reduce serious illness from respiratory viruses in high-risk populations and to limit the spread of these viruses.

The campaign covers who’s most at risk for severe illness from flu, COVID-19 and RSV, and gives facts about the vaccines that prevent these respiratory viruses, including addressing myths about their effectiveness and safety.

OHA also has been helping familiarize health care providers with national guidance that provides practical information on reducing the risk of respiratory viruses. The guidance highlights the importance of core prevention strategies people can use when local respiratory virus transmission is high. They include getting vaccinated, washing hands regularly, covering coughs and sneezes, improving ventilation in indoor spaces, and staying home when sick. Additional strategies include masking, avoiding crowded indoor gatherings, and testing when sick, particularly for those at higher risk for complications from these diseases.

Additionally, OHA has encouraged health care providers to follow guidance for providing COVID-19 and influenza antiviral treatments, which, like immunizations, reduce the risk of severe disease.

Finally, OHA continues to recommend people follow state and national guidance that empowers individuals at risk for severe illness to limit, and prepare for, exposure to respiratory viruses and possible infection. The guidance includes the following:

1. Know your risk. Talk to your health care provider about whether your age, vaccination status or medical condition makes you more susceptible to severe illness.
2. Make a plan. Think about how you’ll protect yourself and those around you if you become ill with respiratory symptoms or your community’s transmission level changes.
3. Take action when needed. Get tested if you have symptoms. If you test positive, contact your health care provider for treatment with antiviral medication; let those around you know they may have been exposed; stay home until fever-free for 24 hours and symptoms are improving; wear a high-quality, well-fitting mask; and keep your distance from others.

“No one wants their holidays interrupted by a respiratory illness” Sidelinger says. “By following a few simple steps to prevent infection from influenza, COVID-19 or RSV, we can keep ourselves and our loved ones happy and healthy during the holidays, and beyond.”

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Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace Extends Open Enrollment Deadline To Dec. 18 For Coverage Starting Jan. 1 -12/16/24

December 16, 2024 

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

Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace Extends Open Enrollment Deadline to Dec. 18 for Coverage Starting Jan. 1 

Salem, OR – The Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace is pleased to announce that the deadline to get health insurance coverage starting Jan. 1, 2025, has been extended to Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024, giving Oregonians additional time to avoid a gap in health coverage. 

The extension ensures that individuals and families who have yet to sign up for health insurance can take advantage of this opportunity to review their options and select a plan that fits their needs and budget. The original deadline, Dec. 15, has been extended to provide a few extra days for those who need more time to enroll for coverage starting Jan. 1. 

“We understand that life gets busy, and making important decisions about health coverage can sometimes take longer than expected,” said Chiqui Flowers, director of the Marketplace. “With this extension, Oregonians have additional time to find a plan that works for them and their families for the first month of 2025.” 

The Marketplace offers a variety of plans that include essential health benefits such as doctor visits, prescription drugs, mental health care, and emergency services. Financial assistance is available for many Oregonians, with most individuals qualifying for savings on monthly premiums. In fact, over 80% of Marketplace enrollees last year received financial assistance to make their coverage more affordable. 

How to Enroll: 

• Visit OregonHealthCare.gov to compare plans and get started. 
• Call the Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace at 855-268-3767 for personalized assistance. 
• Meet with a certified insurance agent or community partner for one-on-one support. Find help at OregonHealthCare.gov/GetHelp. 

Don’t miss this opportunity to secure health insurance for January. Enroll by Dec. 18 to ensure your coverage begins on Jan. 1. Open enrollment does not end until Jan. 15, but coverage will not start until Feb. 1 if you enroll after Dec. 18. 

For more information, visit OregonHealthCare.gov or contact the Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace at 855-268-3767 (all relay calls are accepted). 

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The Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace, a part of state government, helps people get health insurance when they do not have job-based coverage, and do not qualify for the Oregon Health Plan or another program. The Marketplace is the state-level partner to HealthCare.gov. For more information, go to OregonHealthCare.gov. 

16 de diciembre de 2024

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

El Mercado de Seguros Médicos de Oregon extiende la fecha límite de la inscripción abierta hasta el 18 de diciembre para la cobertura a partir del 1 de enero

Salem, OR – El Mercado de Seguros Médicos de Oregon se complace en anunciar que la fecha límite para obtener cobertura de salud a partir del 1 de enero de 2025 se ha extendido hasta el miércoles 18 de diciembre de 2024, lo que brinda a los habitantes de Oregon tiempo adicional para evitar una interrupción en su cobertura de salud. 

La extensión garantiza que las personas y familias que aún no se han inscrito en un seguro médico puedan aprovechar esta oportunidad para revisar sus opciones y seleccionar un plan que se adapte a sus necesidades y presupuesto. La fecha límite original, el 15 de diciembre, se ha extendido para dar unos días adicionales para aquellos que necesitan más tiempo para inscribirse en la cobertura a partir del 1 de enero. 

"Entendemos que la vida es muy ocupada, y tomar decisiones importantes sobre la cobertura de salud a veces puede llevar más tiempo de lo esperado", dijo Chiqui Flowers, directora del Mercado de Seguros Médicos. "Con esta extensión, los residentes de Oregon tienen tiempo adicional para encontrar un plan que funcione para ellos y sus familias durante el primer mes de 2025". 

El Mercado de Seguros Médicos ofrece una variedad de planes que incluyen beneficios de salud esenciales, como visitas al médico, medicamentos recetados, atención de salud mental y servicios de emergencia. La asistencia financiera está disponible para muchos habitantes de Oregon, y la mayoría de las personas califican para ahorros en las primas mensuales. De hecho, el año pasado más del 80% de los inscritos en el Mercado de Seguros Médicos recibieron asistencia financiera para hacer su cobertura más asequible. 

Cómo inscribirse: 

• Visite CuidadoDeSalud.Oregon.gov para comparar planes y comenzar. 
• Llame al Mercado de Seguros Médicos de Oregon al 855-268-3767 para obtener asistencia personalizada. 
• Reúnase con un agente de seguros certificado o un socio de la comunidad para obtener apoyo personalizado. Encuentre ayuda en orhim.info/ayuda. 

No se pierda esta oportunidad de obtener una cobertura de salud para enero. Inscríbase antes del 18 de diciembre para asegurarse de que su cobertura comience el 1 de enero. La inscripción abierta no termina sino hasta el 15 de enero, pero la cobertura comenzará hasta el 1 de febrero si se inscribe después del 18 de diciembre. 

Para obtener más información, visite CuidadoDeSalud.Oregon.gov o comuníquese con el Mercado de Seguros Médicos de Oregon al 855-268-3767 (se aceptan todas las llamadas de retransmisión). 

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El Mercado de Seguros Médicos de Oregon, que forma parte del gobierno estatal, ayuda a las personas a obtener un seguro médico cuando no tienen cobertura basada en el trabajo y no califican para el Plan de Salud de Oregon u otro programa. El Mercado es el socio a nivel estatal de CuidadoDeSalud.gov. Para obtener más información, vaya a CuidadoDeSalud.Oregon.gov. 

OHA Seeks New Members For Measure 110 Oversight Council -12/13/24

December 13, 2024

Contact: Karli Cunningham, Karli.Cunningham2@oha.oregon.gov

OHA seeks new members for Measure 110 oversight council

Oregon Health Authority (OHA) is accepting applications to serve on the Oversight and Accountability Council (OAC), which was established by Measure 110 in 2020. The OAC oversees and provides funding for Behavioral Health Resource Networks (BHRNs). There are 42 BHRNs across Oregon which provide services for individuals experiencing substance use disorder.

The Council is looking for new members in several categories including:

• People with lived experience of substance use disorder.
• Licensed clinical social workers.
• Harm reduction services providers.
• Mental or behavioral health providers.
• People who work for non-profit organizations (including housing services) that advocate for people with substance use disorder experience or mental health conditions.

Members of the OAC serve four-year terms and may be eligible for a stipend to compensate them for their time engaged in official OAC duties.

The deadline to apply is 11:59 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 18.

To apply, fill out and submit this online form. Selected applicants will be informed by Jan. 31, 2025.

For questions or more information, email OHA.Measure110@oha.oregon.gov, or contact Karli Cunningham at Karli.Cunningham2@oha.oregon.gov or 971-240-8690.

As New Data Dashboard Shows Overdoses Increased In 2023, Oregon Keeps Focus On Multi-faceted Plan To Reduce Substance Use -12/12/24

December 12, 2024

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

As new data dashboard shows overdoses increased in 2023, Oregon keeps focus on multi-faceted plan to reduce substance use

PORTLAND, Ore.—Oregon Health Authority remains focused on increased efforts to reduce substance use—and is looking at new opportunities to expand prevention, harm-reduction, treatment and recovery services—as a state data dashboard shows an increase in overdoses during 2023.

Overdose fatalities continued to rise in 2023, with more than half of the unintentional overdose deaths involving an opioid or a stimulant, according to a new and updated data dashboard. State health officials are still gathering data for 2024.

OHA launched the update of its Oregon Overdose Prevention Dashboard to provide more timely data, highlight emerging trends, and give users the ability to download the data. The dashboard is an interactive tool for tracking state, county and demographic trends related to fatal and non-fatal overdoses.

The updated dashboard shows the extent to which polysubstance use is contributing to fatal overdoses and disparities in overdose deaths:

• Overdose fatalities continued to rise, from 1,383 deaths in 2022 to 1,833 in 2023.
• 53% of unintentional overdose deaths in 2023 involved both an opioid and a stimulant.
• Fatal overdose rates remain high in non-Hispanic, Black and American Indian/Alaska Native communities.

Oregon is working aggressively to stem the rise in overdoses with a multi-faceted plan intended to reduce substance use and get life-saving treatment to people faster and more efficiently. This includes:

• Expanding naloxone distribution and other harm reduction efforts to better align with community needs, including through our Save Lives Oregon project.
• Increasing access to medically assisted treatments for substance use.
• Scaling up peer support and intervention programs across the state.
• Stabilizing and supporting the substance use treatment workforce.
• Continuing education and prevention campaigns.
  • The Legislature last year approved more funding for education for school-aged youth on the risks of substance use.
• More funding directed toward supplying schools with naloxone. Every middle and high school in the state is eligible to receive up to three opioid response kits, each with eight doses of naloxone.

In addition, since July 2021, the State of Oregon has reached agreement on national lawsuits against several companies—opioid manufacturers, distributors and pharmacies—for their roles in the opioid crisis. Through these agreements, nearly $600 million will be awarded to Oregon over 18 years. These funds will support substance use and overdose prevention, harm reduction, treatment and recovery strategies.

Finally, Gov. Tina Kotek’s 2025-2027 budget proposes $90 million for capacity-building for adult mental health services, substance use disorder residential treatment, and withdrawal management; $40 million for supporting deflection coordinators, peers and counselors who give individuals struggling with addiction the opportunity to avoid legal consequences and to seek treatment instead; and $25 million for targeted residential and community-based behavioral health and substance use disorder capacity, expansion of mental health services, prevention services for school-based health centers, and funding to expand youth suicide prevention work.

“Oregon’s overdose crisis has affected every community across the state, and the highly sensitive and traumatic nature of these events has caused harm, trauma and loss that impact the well-being of everyone,” said Liz McCarthy, overdose epidemiologist in OHA’s Injury and Violence Prevention Program (IVPP). “The impact fatal and non-fatal drug overdoses have on our communities shows how important this data can be, especially for data-driven decisions.”

Developed by the OHA IVPP, the updated dashboard gives public health officials, local agencies, and community organizations improved access to critical data. These resources aim to better inform efforts to reduce drug-related overdose.

The final 2023 death certificate data was only recently released. It typically takes nearly a year (and in this case 11 months) for all of the pending information, such as toxicology reports, to be gathered and analyzed. OHA will release 2024 data as soon as it is available.

“Our team decided to update our Overdose Prevention dashboard based on feedback we received from the community and people who use the data,” McCarthy said. “The update allows users to explore the latest trends in overdose deaths, hospital visits and the substances involved, as well as download the data for more in-depth analysis.”

The dashboard covers a range of drug categories including fentanyl, heroin, opioids and stimulants, with data on overdose fatalities, emergency department discharges and hospital discharges.

A new page focuses on Oregon’s State Unintentional Drug Overdose Reporting System (SUDORS) data. The new page offers additional information on unintentional overdose deaths in Oregon. One highlight is the “Drug of Interest” section for information on emerging substances, such as xylazine.

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OHA Launches Oregon Health Forward Mobilization To Eliminate Health Disparities; CDC Foundation Partners With State Health Officials On "Call To Action" -12/12/24

December 12, 2024

Media contact: Robb Cowie, Oregon Health Authority, robb.cowie@oha.oregon.gov

OHA Launches Oregon Health Forward Mobilization to Eliminate Health Disparities; CDC Foundation Partners with State Health Officials on “Call to Action”

(Salem, Ore.) - Today, Oregon Health Authority (OHA) launched Oregon Health Forward (OHF), an alliance of three major efforts that will advance OHA’s goal to eliminate health inequities by 2030. These initiatives include: OHA’s Strategic Plan, a statewide Call to Action to advance health for all, and an organized effort to strengthen transparency, accountability and belonging within OHA.

Oregon Governor Tina Kotek said, “Oregon Health Forward advances my goals to ensure that the state is improving customer service and transparency across the enterprise. OHA has set a strategic goal to eliminate health inequities by 2030, and Oregon Health Forward is an invitation for others to join this effort. I thank Director Hathi for leading on this important work.”

A cornerstone of Oregon Health Forward is the statewide Call to Action -- OHA’s initiative to galvanize a “whole of society” commitment to its strategic goal by building new public-private partnerships and cross-sectoral investments in health equity, led in partnership with the CDC Foundation.

The CDC Foundation is an independent nonprofit organization that mobilizes philanthropic and private-sector resources to support the critical work of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the nation's public health system.

The Call to Action recognizes that health inequities — such as a lack of health coverage, affordable housing, or clean air and water — often are borne of social, political, and economic forces outside the traditional purview of health policy. And that addressing these barriers requires, therefore, whole-of-society action to foster new partnerships and cross-sector investments in health equity. This is OHA’s Call to Action.

Over the next 6 months, the CDC Foundation and state health officials will enlist public and private partners of all sizes across all sectors to make commitments aligned with the five goal pillars of OHA’s Strategic Plan. Commitments may take the form of philanthropic contributions or in-kind support – such as staff expertise, resource-sharing, or education and training initiatives; new product development and service-line expansions; and programmatic initiatives or bold institutional policy change – changing the way care is provided or business is done.

“The CDC Foundation is proud to partner with the Oregon Health Authority to support its Call to Action. Oregon is leading the way in addressing disparities that lead to poorer health. The CDC Foundation looks forward to partnering with OHA to build public-private partnerships that drive progress toward the agency’s 2030 goal,” said Dr. Judy Monroe, M.D., president and CEO of the CDC Foundation.

Partner commitments will be recognized and elevated by OHA and the CDC Foundation and celebrated publicly by Fall 2025.

“When it comes to health, we’re all connected,” said Dr. Sejal Hathi, M.D., MBA, OHA Director, “and it is the responsibility of us all to come together and leverage our unique resources and strengths to provide opportunities for all to thrive. We’re excited to have the collaboration and support of the CDC Foundation in mobilizing a new statewide coalition of partners to expand access to care and eliminate unfair barriers to good health for everyone.”

More information about the Call to Action, including an interest form for entities to submit proposed commitments, is available here.

Oregon Health Forward features two other major efforts: OHA’s Strategic Plan (released in July) and a newly announced Transparency, Accountability, and Belonging Initiative (TABI), which will strengthen the agency’s ability to deliver on its goals consistently and transparently by intentionally improving operations and supporting staff.

The Transparency, Accountability, and Belonging Initiative includes nearly two dozen internal projects committing to actionable steps to better meet customer needs, increase transparency, strengthen partner relationships, and enhance staff engagement and satisfaction. Examples of projects include improving responsiveness to constituent inquiries, increasing the speed and transparency of funding disbursements, improving the accessibility and clarity of agency rulemaking, developing structured professional development opportunities for staff, and decreasing vacancy rates. Work for the TABI is expected to be complete by Fall 2025.

“Since day one, my highest priority has been to listen and learn so that I can guide the agency in designing the best solutions to shared challenges,” said Dr. Sejal Hathi, MD, MBA. “Oregon Health Forward was born from this dialogue – with staff and with the broader communities we serve – about where and how we could work differently and better to achieve our common goal of an Oregon where every individual has the opportunity to live a healthy life.”

Visit the OHF website to learn more about all three Oregon Health Forward initiatives: the OHA Strategic Plan, Call to Action, and all Transparency, Accountability, and Belonging projects.

Oregon Health Forward videos can also be found here.

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New Report: State Health Officials Pursue Locally Requested Policy, Regulatory And Administrative Changes After Director Hathi's Statewide Listening Tour -12/10/24

December 10, 2024

Media contact: Robb Cowie, Oregon Health Authority, robb.cowie@oha.oregon.gov

New Report: State Health Officials Pursue Locally Requested Policy, Regulatory and Administrative Changes After Director Hathi’s Statewide Listening Tour

SALEM, Ore. — Oregon Health Authority leadership is turning conversations into action. Following a statewide listening tour where OHA Director Sejal Hathi, M.D., MBA engaged representatives from 35 counties and dozens of community leaders, the agency is rolling out a series of policy, regulatory, and administrative changes. These changes seek to boost transparency, accountability, and support for communities. These actions are summarized in a new report published today.

During her first six months as OHA director, Dr. Hathi traveled to more than a dozen communities across Oregon — including Astoria, Bend, the Dalles, Eugene, Hood River, Grants Pass, Klamath Falls, Lebanon, Medford, Pendleton, Portland, Redmond and Salem. In 48 total meetings, she and other OHA leaders heard from local public health and mental health officials, leaders from coordinated care organizations (CCOs), provider organizations, Tribal partners, and community-based organizations (including non-profits that had received grants as part of Measure 110-funded Behavioral Health Resource Networks).

Across these sessions, participants highlighted more than 60 challenges, from critical health care workforce shortages to gaps in youth mental health services and the need for sustained public health protections.

“Many of these challenges are long-standing and complex, but that doesn’t mean we can’t make meaningful, if incremental, progress,” said Dr. Hathi. “The feedback we received from these communities is driving tangible steps forward at OHA to remove barriers and improve outcomes — and I’m grateful to both staff and our partners for helping us better serve all Oregonians.”

Dr. Hathi directed leaders within OHA to review the concerns local partners raised and develop action plans to address them. The new report describes 16 separate efforts that state officials are pursuing to respond to the challenges they heard, including:

• Reducing administrative burdens on mental health and substance use programs.
• Supporting traditional health workers to bill Medicaid for services.
• Preventing health care facility closures in rural communities.
• Reducing lead exposure among children.

The report also includes a visual progress tracker for each staff-led action, representing how close the issue is to resolution.

Dr. Hathi emphasized OHA’s commitment to continued collaboration: “We’ll keep showing up, listening, and working side by side with our partners to tackle these challenges.”

OHA leaders plan to hold regular follow-up visits across Oregon to report on progress and address emerging concerns, ensuring communities remain at the heart of OHA’s mission.

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Oregon State Hospital Maintains TJC Accreditation -12/05/24

December 5, 2024 

Media contact: Marsha Sills  

marsha.sills@oha.oregon.gov 

(971-240-3344) 

Oregon State Hospital maintains TJC accreditation  

SALEM – Oregon State Hospital has maintained its accreditation and earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® for demonstrating continuous compliance with performance standards for hospitals and behavioral health and human services programs.  

The Joint Commission (TJC) is an independent, nonprofit organization that develops health care performance standards and accredits and certifies more than 23,000 healthcare organizations and programs in the United States.  

“TJC accreditation is an important indicator of the quality and safety of patient care a hospital provides. And because TJC also surveys our hospital for CMS conditions of participation, this renewal of our accreditation affirms what we already know: OSH staff are dedicated to providing a safe and therapeutic environment for the people we care for,” said Dr. Sara Walker, OSH Interim Superintendent and Chief Medical Officer.  

OSH is on a three-year survey cycle to affirm its accreditation status for both its Hospital Program and its Behavioral Health and Human Services Program. TJC surveyors conducted a rigorous, unannounced site visit at OSH in September to review the hospital’s compliance in several areas, including emergency management, environment of care, provision of care, leadership and patient rights. In letters received Dec. 4, TJC formally announced OSH’s accreditation status is valid for the next three years.   

For more information about The Joint Commission, visit https://www.jointcommission.org/.  

OHA Accepting Applications For Community Review Boards -12/04/24

December 4, 2024

Media contact: Media Contact: Amy Bacher, amy.bacher2@oha.oregon.gov

OHA accepting applications for community review boards

(Portland, Ore.) – OHA’s Health Care Market Oversight (HCMO) program is seeking applicants for two community review boards for a proposed Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU)-Legacy Health (Legacy) transaction and a separate, but related, transaction involving Legacy and PacificSource.

Through the HCMO program, OHA reviews proposed health care business transactions to make sure they support Oregon’s goals of health equity, lower costs, increased access, and better care.  Community review boards provide input about transactions and make a recommendation to OHA about whether a transaction should be approved. Board members can include people who live and work in affected communities, consumer advocates, health care experts and health care providers. Board members may not be employed by any of the entities involved in the transaction or by any similarly sized competitors.

Applications for the community review boards are due January 10, 2025. OHA expects to convene the community review boards in the first quarter of 2025. Selected members need to be available for up to ten virtual meetings and two virtual public hearings. For more information about the selection process, member expectations and qualifications, visit the OHA OHSU-Legacy and Legacy-PacificSource transaction pages.

OHSU-Legacy

OHSU is proposing to buy Legacy. If approved, this means that Legacy would be a fully owned business of OHSU, and Legacy would be fully integrated into the OHSU system. People interested in participating in the community review board for the OHSU-Legacy transaction can apply here.

Legacy-PacificSource

Legacy is proposing to transfer its 50% ownership of PacificSource to the Legacy Health Foundation, which would become an independent organization if approved. Those interested in joining the community review board for the Legacy-PacificSource transaction can apply here.

Public comments

Anyone can submit a public comment about these transactions. OHA will accept and post public comments throughout the review periods for both transactions. Public input is crucial to help OHA understand potential impacts on the cost and quality of health care, access to services and health equity. Public comment can be provided through one of the following ways:

• Fill out the public comment form
• Email hcmo.info@oha.oregon.gov
• Call 503-945-6161

If your public comment is regarding the Legacy and PacificSource transaction, include the word “PacificSource” in your message. If your public comment is regarding the OHSU-Legacy transaction, include the word “OHSU” or “OHSU-Legacy” in your message.

Launched in 2022, the HCMO program reviews proposed health care transactions, such as mergers and acquisitions, to make sure they support statewide goals related to cost, health equity, access, and quality.  Information about the program can be found on the HCMO website. Subscribe to receive program updates here.

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