Oregon lawmakers have several proposals to stem hunger and help low-income residents.
By Lynne Terry – Oregon Capital Chronicle
Latest data show fatal overdoses continue to skyrocket in Oregon
The state is still compiling data for 2023, but 628 Oregonians died from overdoses during the first six months of the year.
With youth overdose death rates soaring, state offers free opioid reversal medication to schools
An initiative to stock overdose reversal medication in Oregon schools comes amid a big jump in the number of teens who’ve died from drug overdoses in the last five years.
Some want repeal. Others want tweaks. But nobody seems to want the status quo in the drug crisis.
Lawmakers on Monday listened to experts describe the long, jagged path the state needs to take to recovery as they contemplate changing Oregon’s drug decriminalization measure.
New Oregon Health Authority director promises to bring ‘grit and commitment’ to the role
Dr. Sejal Hathi will take the reins at the Oregon Health Authority in January, becoming the agency’s fourth leader in about a year. A first generation American and primary care physician, she will lead one of Oregon’s biggest and most influential agencies, with a budget of more than $17 billion[Read More…]
Enrollment in individual health insurance now open through mid-January
Oregonians who buy individual health insurance can start shopping for plans. Premiums are up 6% on average.
Oregon’s Medicaid renewal process boots eligible children, adults off the plan
At least several thousand were affected while thousands of others who don’t qualify for Medicaid will keep their insurance
Legislative committee dismisses complaints by Republican state senators over walkout
One of the Republicans who filed a complaint about the handling of excused absences, Sen. Lynn Findley, called the Senate president a “dictator” and called the committee process a “sham.”
As wildfires grow, poor, elderly disproportionately affected
People exposed to wildfires in Oregon and other western states are more likely to live in mobile homes and have disabilities, a new study found.
Health officials urge Oregonians to get vaccinated against Covid, flu, RSV
State officials said Covid infections are increasing in Oregon as they urge a new round of vaccinations. Free Covid testing kits are again available.
