News & Stories for Oregonians
Challenges brought to light by more than 80 Oregon Health Plan (OHP / Medicaid) members have helped reduce barriers to obtain medically necessary motorized wheelchairs and other durable medical equipment. OHP members alerted OHA of the issues by reaching out to OHA’s Ombuds Program staff, who make sure members on Oregon’s Medicaid program receive they […]
While wildfires continue to burn in Oregon, and as we head into storm season we want to remind people across the state to be prepared in the event of a disaster or emergency. Other common emergencies in Oregon include disease outbreaks, landslides, flooding, and storm-related power outages. We also recommend expecting the unexpected—including earthquakes, which […]
Column by Ebony Clarke, Behavioral Health Director, OHA At Oregon Health Authority (OHA), we recognize that recovery is not just an individual journey—it is a community commitment. Recovery means hope. It means the opportunity to rebuild, reconnect, and reclaim one’s life with dignity and support. As we reflect during Recovery Month, we reaffirm our belief […]
A person’s substance use disorder (SUD) or mental health recovery journey may include a therapist, counselor, social worker, psychiatrist, or other trained professionals. It can also include a peer support specialist. Peer support specialists have similar life experiences with the people they serve. For example, they may also be in recovery or they might be […]
As thousands of Oregon students head to college, many will live away from parental oversight for the first time. With the return of football and other sports, Oregon Health Authority (OHA) is raising awareness about a growing trend–increasing sports betting among young adults–and encouraging families to talk about gambling risks before students leave home. “Many […]
Tracie Koepplin is clinical manager at Physicians’ Medical Center, PC, in McMinnville. Shortly before her second birthday, Tracie Koepplin was rushed to the hospital because she couldn’t breathe. Turns out she had a rare chronic disease called juvenile-onset recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (JORRP), aka laryngeal papilloma—caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). This condition causes benign tumors […]
As a primary care nurse practitioner (NP), Lisa Whitfield had difficulty finding mental health support for her patients, so she decided to gain the education and training to help fill the gap in mental health services she saw in her community. Whitfield enrolled at Gonzaga University to complete her mental health certification, which required completing […]
Funding opportunities and shifts in public perception pay off in Southwest Oregon, making SUD treatment and recovery more possible than ever. << See slide show above. >> On a cool cloudy day in March 2024, Casey Lowery sprinted nearly four miles to get to Bay Area First Step—a recovery and treatment center in Coos Bay, […]
Community spirit and determination bring new dental clinic to Brookings Sometimes the saying “it takes a village” applies to getting your teeth cleaned. Just ask the small, determined group that helped launch a new dental clinic in Brookings, a Southern Oregon coastal hamlet home to nearly 6,700 people. Equity Dental, a dentist-owned company that has […]
For one Oregon family living outside of Roseburg, life as they knew it took a tumultuous turn when their 20-year-old son began experiencing symptoms of early psychosis. (To protect the family’s privacy, this article will refer to the parent as “Michelle.”) “I felt totally blindsided,” Michelle said. “We didn’t know what it was or how […]
