uly 26, 2024

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

OHA warns of potential measles exposures in Marion County

PORTLAND, Ore.—Oregon Health Authority (OHA) is recommending people who were recently in certain locations in Marion County to monitor themselves for symptoms of measles and talk to a health care provider if those symptoms arise.

People may have been exposed to the virus if they were in any of these locations during these times on Wednesday, July 17:

• Waremart (5450 River Road N., Keizer), between noon and 1:20 p.m.
• Walmart (3002 Stacy Allison Way, Woodburn), between 1:15 and 2:35 p.m.
• Safeway (1550 N. Pacific Hwy, Woodburn), between 2:40 and 3:05 p.m.

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 can also 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. In developed countries in recent years, one or two out of every 1,000 measles cases has been fatal.

“Measles is the most contagious disease we know,” said Paul Cieslak, M.D., medical director for communicable diseases and immunizations at Oregon Health Authority’s (OHA) Public Health Division. “If you have a rash, please don’t drop in on an emergency department or your doctor’s office. Call ahead so that the doctor can arrange to meet you where others won’t be exposed.”

Since mid-June, 15 cases of measles have been reported in Oregon, all among unvaccinated persons. Of the cases, 12 are confirmed and three are presumptive. Two people have been hospitalized. Other cases are suspected but not yet confirmed.

The measles outbreak is spread among three counties: Marion, with nine cases; Clackamas with five; and Multnomah with one. Nine of the cases are younger than 10, four are ages 10 to 19, and two are 20 or older.

Visit the homepage of OHA’s Acute and Communicable Disease Prevention Section for daily updates of measles outbreak data. 

Determining your risk of measles

Measles vaccination is highly effective, and most Oregonians have been vaccinated, usually as children. Anyone who has received a measles vaccination at any time in their life has a low risk of getting measles. Risk is much higher for anyone who has not received measles vaccination and who may have been exposed to the disease.

If you or your family was present in one of the stores during the identified time window, please consider the following steps:

• Check your immunity status. Individuals are considered immune to measles if any of the following apply:
  • Born before 1957
  • Diagnosed with measles in the past
  • A blood test confirms immunity
  • Received two doses of the measles vaccine
• Monitor for symptoms of measles for 21 days after exposure (until August 7). Symptoms include:
  • Fever
  • Rash
  • Cough
  • Red, watery eyes
• If you are unvaccinated, limit your exposure to others outside your immediate household.
• If you have received one dose of the MMR vaccine, limit your exposure in high-risk settings like healthcare facilities, schools and daycares.
• If you develop measles-like symptoms, contact your health care provider before going in for care.
• If you are not vaccinated but wish to be, contact your health care provider to schedule a vaccine appointment.

Marion County’s Public Health Clinic, located at 3160 Center Street NE in Salem, offers free vaccines to children (ages 0–18) who are uninsured, enrolled in Medicaid/Oregon Health Plan, or are American Indian/Alaskan Native.

To schedule an appointment or for more information, call 503-588-5342.

Learn more about measles at https://www.oregon.gov/oha/ph/diseasesconditions/diseasesaz/pages/measles.aspx

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July 25, 2024

Media contact: Jonathan Modie, 971-246-9139, PHD.Communications@oha.oregon.gov

Recreational use advisory lifted for McKay Reservoir July 25

PORTLAND, Ore.—Oregon Health Authority (OHA) has lifted the recreational use health advisory issued July 3 for McKay Reservoir in Umatilla County.

Water monitoring has confirmed cyanotoxins levels in McKay Reservoir are below recreational guideline values for both people and dogs.

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. Be aware that only a fraction of waterbodies in Oregon are monitored for blooms and toxins, so it’s important for people to become familiar with signs of a bloom, exposures 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 that cause you to swallow water or inhale droplets, such as swimming or high-speed water activities, 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 behind the toxins released. 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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July 25, 2024

Media contact: Timothy Heider, 971-599-0459, timothy.heider@oha.oregon.gov

OHA appoints Dr. Ahmed Farag as new dental director

SALEM, Ore. — Oregon Health Authority (OHA) today announced the appointment of Dr. Ahmed Farag as its new dental director.

Dr. Farag has served in numerous leadership roles, most recently as executive medical director at Rochester Regional Health in western New York, an integrated health system with over 550 health care locations, nine hospitals and 16 federally qualified health centers.

Dr. Farag has a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Rochester’s Simon Business School and is pursuing a remote doctorate degree at George Washington University in Washington, D.C.

He has also received an American Dental Association fellowship in diversity in leadership through the American College for Healthcare Executives.

Among other responsibilities, OHA’s dental director will provide expertise for OHA’s dental services program, including dental services offered through Medicaid as part of the Oregon Health Plan.

“Dr. Farag brings a wealth of national and international professional experience and an abiding commitment to providing high quality health services,” said OHA’s Deputy Medicaid Director Vivian Levy.

“We welcome his diverse expertise and look forward to working with him to promote health equity, assure patient well-being, and join Oregon clinicians in their commitment to improving oral health outcomes,” Levy said.

Dr. Farag will become a member of the Oregon Health Plan leadership team. He will assume his new role in Oregon Sept. 3.

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July 25, 2024

Media contact: Jonathan Modie, 971-246-9139, PHD.Communications@oha.oregon.gov

Recreational use advisory lifted for Turner Lake

PORTLAND, Ore.—Oregon Health Authority (OHA) has lifted the recreational use health advisory issued July 18 for Turner Lake in Marion County.

Water monitoring has confirmed that the level of cyanotoxins in Turner Lake are below recreational guideline values for both people and dogs.

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. Be aware that only a fraction of waterbodies in Oregon are monitored for blooms and toxins, so it’s important for people to become familiar with signs of a bloom, exposures 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 that cause you to swallow water or inhale droplets, such as swimming or high-speed water activities, 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 behind the toxins released. 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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July 25, 2024

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

OHA marks 100^th water treatment system installation milestone

OHA, partners continue efforts to protect families with high levels of nitrate in domestic well water

PORTLAND, Ore. – Oregon Health Authority (OHA) and partner organizations have recorded more than 100 free water treatment systems installed in households in the Lower Umatilla Basin Groundwater Management Area, or LUBGWMA. As of June 30, OHA’s vendors had installed 111 systems and are working to install additional systems to help address high levels of nitrate in some domestic wells.  

The LUBGWMA spans northern Morrow County and northwestern Umatilla County and was designated by the state due to high nitrate in groundwater that supplies domestic wells.

Nitrate in well water is a potential health hazard, and nitrate levels above 10 milligrams per liter (mg/L) are considered dangerous for human consumption. Pregnant people and babies face the greatest risk. The state has offered free laboratory tests of well water to LUBGWMA residents since 2023.

Residents are encouraged to continue testing their domestic wells’ nitrate levels. OHA recently announced a retesting effort to ensure that households near the 10 mg/L limit are monitored.

Households with a nitrate test result above 10 mg/L are eligible for free water delivery. For households whose well water tests higher than 10 mg/L but below 25 mg/L, the state will also provide free installation and maintenance of one in-home reverse-osmosis system. OHA requires that systems be certified to reduce nitrate levels to safe for drinking. There are no kitchen-tap treatment systems certified to remove nitrate at levels above 25 mg/L.

State rules require treatment systems be installed by licensed plumbers.  OHA’s vendors go beyond installing treatment systems and provide ongoing maintenance and replacement of filters. Vendors also collect a water sample for laboratory analysis of the water from the tap after installation, to guarantee that the water is safe for consumption.

“We are grateful to the plumbers who have helped us reach this milestone and we continue to look for ways to install these systems at a faster pace,” said Gabriela Goldfarb, OHA Environmental Public Health section manager. “We appreciate the patience of residents who are waiting to get their treatment system and we know the wait is not easy.”

Questions? Contact the OHA Domestic Well Safety Program at Domestic.Wells@odhsoha.oregon.gov or call 541-952-9254 and visit testmywell.oregon.gov to learn about free safe water services for residents of northern Morrow County and northwestern Umatilla County.

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July 24, 2024

Media contacts:

Erica Heartquist, Oregon Health Authority, Erica.J.Heartquist@oha.oregon.gov,  503-871-8843

Jake Sunderland, Oregon Department of Human Services, Jake.Sunderland@odhs.oregon.gov, 503-877-0170

Study shows Oregon Medicaid renewal rate highest in nation

SALEM, Ore. —Oregon has the highest rate in the nation for Medicaid renewals since the lifting of the COVID-related continuous enrollment requirement in March 2023, according to a Georgetown study.

With 92 percent of the state’s nearly 1.5 million renewals complete, more than four out of five Oregonians are keeping their Oregon Health Plan (OHP) or other Medicaid benefits.

(Source: Georgetown University McCourt School of Public Policy study published July 14, 2024)

Six reasons Oregon is doing well with Medicaid renewals

OHP Bridge

OHP Bridge, a new category of OHP with higher income limits, launched July 1. Since the unwinding of the pandemic emergency began, people likely to be eligible for OHP Bridge kept their OHP. To date, 22,784 people have moved to OHP Bridge.

Sequencing

Oregon intentionally scheduled renewals for people who were more likely to keep benefits and needed minimal support to complete the process upfront. State employees put certain renewals such as likely OHP Bridge members later in the schedule and spread more complex renewals throughout the process to ensure support was consistently available. 

Longer timelines

Oregon gave people longer to respond before closing benefits than any other state in the nation. In Oregon, people have up to 90 days to respond and 60 days’ advance notice of any closure. People who did not respond can also reopen their case up to 90 days after closing. 

Outreach

Oregon has a robust network of community partners across the state, and tools like earned media and paid advertising were used to spread awareness of the renewal process. 

Maximizing automated renewals

When members’ eligibility information can be verified using federal data matching sources without needing the member to respond, they can be automatically renewed. This minimizes the chances for closures due to nonresponse, reduces the paperwork burden on members and preserves staff capacity to help the remaining people.  To date, Oregon’s monthly news release on renewals has used KFF data, which continues to show Oregon in third place. The Georgetown ranking shows Oregon among the top states reducing paperwork via the automated renewal process.

Rules protecting coverage between renewals

Oregon is unique in giving most adults a two-year continuous eligibility period where they will keep their medical benefits until their next renewal, even if something like income changes would no longer qualify them for benefits. Oregon also offers young children benefits until their sixth birthday. These rules do not directly affect renewal rate but prevent “churn” on and off benefits between renewals.

July OHP renewal data

As of July 19, 1,347,208 people have completed the renewal process. This represents around 92.7 percent of all OHP and Medicaid members.

• 1,114,627 people (82.7 percent) were renewed and kept their benefits.
• 221,260 people (16.4 percent) were found ineligible.
• 11,321 people (0.8 percent) had a reduction in their benefits. Most of these members lost full OHP but were able to continue Medicare Savings Programs that help pay their Medicare costs.

Although most people are keeping coverage during the post-pandemic medical renewals, approximately 232,000 people have or will need to consider other coverage options due to lost or reduced benefits.

• People who do not have coverage through an employer or Medicare may be able to enroll through the Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace and get financial help. Most people who enroll through HealthCare.gov qualify for this help.
• The Marketplace is sending information to people who are no longer eligible for OHP benefits, advising of other potential coverage options.
• People who have recently lost OHP benefits can enroll anytime until Nov. 30, 2024, or within 60 days of their benefits ending.
• For more information and ways to get help signing up for Marketplace, Medicare or employer coverage, see “What to do if OHP is ending” below.

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 (ODHS) 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 the case summary in your letter to make sure the information used to make the decision was correct. If that information has changed, notify the state via one of the options above. If the information on file for you is correct and you disagree with the decision, you can request a hearing. Learn more about hearings.
• Explore options through an employer. If you, your spouse or a parent are working, you may be eligible for health coverage through that employer. Talk to your manager or Human Resources department to see if you qualify. You will have a special enrollment period to enroll mid-year due to loss of OHP benefits.
• If you have or are eligible for Medicare: For help understanding and choosing the right Medicare options, go to https://OregonHealthcare.gov/GetHelp to find an insurance agent or a counselor at the Senior Health Insurance Benefits Assistance Program (SHIBA). You can also call SHIBA at 800-722-4134.

If you need to sign up for Medicare for the first time, contact the Social Security Administration (SSA) at 800-772-1213 to enroll by phone or find a local office. You can also enroll in Medicare online at ssa.gov/medicare/sign-up.

• Nearly 80 percent of Oregonians qualify for financial help through the Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace. Visit OregonHealthCare.gov/WindowShop to answer a few quick questions, find out how much you can save and find out how much coverage may cost you. You can also call the Marketplace Transition Help Center at 833-699-6850 (toll-free, all relay calls accepted).
• Need free local help finding other coverage? Visit OregonHealthCare.gov/GetHelp to find professional help near you.

Oregon Health Authority (OHA) and Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) are committed to transparency and will continue to send monthly information about medical coverage among Oregonians. Check our ONE Eligibility Operations Dashboards for more frequent updates on medical renewal data and wait times for callers to the ONE Customer Service Center.

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July 23, 2024

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

Opioid Settlement Board directs $13 million to substance use disorder treatment infrastructure

State Alcohol and Drug Policy Commission recommended allocation, which OHA will administer

PORTLAND, Ore. – A $13.08 million allocation by the Opioid Settlement Prevention, Treatment & Recovery Board (Settlement Board) will expand and strengthen the state’s access to substance use disorder treatment and services through opioid treatment programs (OTPs) and jails.

The Board approved Alcohol and Drug Policy Commission (ADPC) recommendations July 10. The allocation, which Oregon Health Authority (OHA) will administer, will improve access to medication for opioid use disorder and treatment services by providing:

• Up to $3.9 million to fund:
  • Two mobile or non-mobile medication units in Clackamas County serving Oregon City and rural Clackamas County.
  • An opioid treatment program or a mobile or non-mobile medication unit in Multnomah County serving the geographic areas of the county with the highest unmet need.
• Up to $9.1 million to fund a total of seven opioid treatment programs or mobile or non-mobile medication units, specifically:
  • Two in Northeastern Oregon.
  • One in the Mid-Gorge region.
  • One in Klamath County.
  • Two in underserved coastal areas.
  • One in eastern Lane County.

To be eligible for funding, a mobile or non-mobile medication unit or an opioid treatment program must be currently certified by OHA.

• Up to $250,000 to Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) to provide technical assistance to jails and to foster collaboration between opioid treatment providers and jails.

The funding was awarded to OHA, which will administer the allocations. The Board’s decision can be viewed in a recording of its July 10 meeting here.

Prior to awarding any funding, OHA must engage the partners listed in the ADPC proposal and provide a proposed timeline and implementation plan to the Board for approval no later than Sept. 1, 2024.

Since July 2021, the State of Oregon has reached agreement on national lawsuits against several companies for their role in the opioid crisis. Through these agreements, nearly $600 million will be awarded to Oregon over the course of 18 years. Settlement funds from opioid manufacturers, distributors and pharmacies are divided between the State of Oregon (45%) and local jurisdictions (55%).

The state’s share is deposited as it becomes available into the Opioid Settlement, Prevention, Treatment and Recovery (OSPTR) Fund. This fund is controlled by the 18-member OSPTR Board.

Local jurisdictions receiving settlement funds (those with populations greater than 10,000) decide how their funds are used. Cities and counties are required to report to the Oregon Department of Justice annually on how they have allocated their funds.

For state and local spending details from Fiscal Year 2022-2023, refer to the Oregon Opioid Settlement Spending Report: https://www.oregon.gov/oha/PH/PREVENTIONWELLNESS/SUBSTANCEUSE/OPIOIDS/Documents/opioid-settlement-report-fy-22-23.pdf.

The OSPTR Board will next consider additional investments in emerging issues.

To learn more about Oregon’s opioid settlement funds, visit oregon.gov/opioidsettlement.

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Link to the report

July 19, 2024

Media contact: Jonathan Modie, 971-246-9139, PHD.Communications@oha.oregon.gov

OHA climate report highlights opportunities to build resilience against wildfires, drought, extreme heat

PORTLAND, Ore.— Communities that have been systemically marginalized continue to bear the brunt of extreme climate effects such as wildfires, drought and heat waves, according to a new Oregon Health Authority (OHA) report. But opportunities abound for building resilience against future disasters.

Publication of the OHA Public Health Division’s annual Climate and Health in Oregon report for 2023 is a stark reminder that as extreme climate effects continue, Oregon must continue to prioritize climate resilience and green infrastructure in communities at greater risk of the health impacts of climate change.

The report says Oregon communities hit hardest by the 2020 wildfires and 2021 heat dome are still recovering. But the report also says local, Tribal and state agencies and community-based organizations are learning from the disasters and have “made investments in strategies to prepare for the uncertain future.”

“The Climate and Health in Oregon report reflects the fact that extreme climate effects are our past, present and future, and we need to accept this reality by better understanding these events and helping communities mitigate the health risks associated with them,” said Cara Biddlecom, OHA’s interim Public Health Division director. “We must support an equitable approach to climate resilience, with community expertise as our guide.”

The Climate and Health in Oregon report shows numerous examples of direct links between heat and wildfire events and heat-related and respiratory illnesses – using emergency department (ED), urgent care, hospitalization and death data, and temperature and air quality data:

• The number of nights that are warmer than 65 degrees is increasing across Oregon. Warmer nights mean homes without air conditioning do not cool overnight, and people can’t get relief from high daytime temperatures, especially during consecutive days of high heat.
• OHA is seeing health effects on days when the Heat Index – a measure of how hot it feels when relative humidity is factored in with the actual air temperature – is at or above 80 degrees. In 2023, people sought emergency or urgent care at higher-than-expected levels during high Heat Index days.
• Although 2021 saw 109 heat-related deaths and 2022 had 22, the eight health-related deaths in 2023 were still more than the annual count of heat-related deaths in the decade before 2021, when the number of heat deaths did not exceed four per year. During 2021-2023, cardiovascular disease was a contributing cause of 25% of heat-related deaths, and people 50 and older accounted for 87% of heat deaths.
• Levels of particulate matter, or PM2.5, from wildfire smoke are expected to double or triple by the end of the century. The increases in smoke are predicted to cause excess asthma-related ED visits and hospitalizations at a rate of 42 excess asthma events per 10,000 population in 2050. Smoke-related ED visits and hospitalizations for asthma are expected to add nearly $100 million to health care costs in Oregon by that decade.
• American Indian/Alaska Native, Black/African American and Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander people in Oregon have rates of health care visits for air quality-related respiratory illness that are double or near-double the statewide rate of 22 per 1,000 residents.
• Twelve counties – Crook, Deschutes, Douglas, Jackson, Jefferson, Josephine, Klamath, Lake, Lane, Linn, Marion and Umatilla – exceed the state average for both air quality days at or above moderate Air Quality Index, or AQI, and heat index above 80 degrees.
• Nearly 40% of Oregonians (1.7 million) live in the 12 counties that experienced 14 or more days with heat at or above 80 degrees and compromised air quality occurring on the same day during May to September 2023. All these counties are home to Oregonians who report a higher chronic disease burden than the state average.
• In September 2023, more than half of Oregon’s land area experienced severe drought (52%), while 30% experienced extreme drought.

But the report also points to signs of hope in the form of investments that local, Tribal and state government agencies and nonprofit organizations have made in recent years to help Oregon communities prepare for, better respond to, recover from, and build resilience against future disasters:

• Oregon public health modernization investments prioritized by Governor’s budgets and legislative appropriations are helping OHA, all local public health authorities, 57 community-based organizations and the nine Federally Recognized Tribes of Oregon identify climate hazards and at-risk populations, and develop and implement protective strategies.
• OHA’s Public Health Division in 2023 established indicators to measure the public health system’s progress in building community resilience to health effects of climate change, including reducing incidence of heat-related and respiratory illnesses.
• Also in 2023, state and federal leaders increased investments to protect people in Oregon at highest risk of health effects from climate change-driven risks, to make homes more resilient to extreme weather, and to increase tree canopies statewide to reduce heat island effects.
• The Oregon Legislature enacted Senate Bill 1536 in 2022, directing OHA to establish an air conditioner and air filter deployment program, which has since provided thousands of devices to low-income households.

The report also spotlights innovative local projects to bolster climate recovery and response, such as Jackson County’s Community Long-Term Recovery Group, which convenes multi-jurisdictional partners to plan post-disaster recovery and resilience operations; an Oregon Resilience Summit to help local agencies and nonprofits share knowledge, gather ideas and showcase local expertise in effective disaster response, recovery and prevention; and Portland Metro Region Heat Mapping Campaign to understand and reduce health impacts of extreme heat by tracking heat distribution patterns. More local projects are highlighted on this page.

“By building resilience to climate change in Oregon communities, we are making significant strides toward our goal of eliminating health inequities in the state by 2030,” Biddlecom said.

For more information, visit www.healthoregon.org/climate.

July 18, 2024

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

Recreational use advisory issued for Fairview Lake July 18

PORTLAND, Ore.—Oregon Health Authority (OHA) issued a recreational use health advisory today for Fairview Lake due to the presence of a cyanobacteria bloom. The lake is in Multnomah County.

People should avoid swimming and high-speed water activities, such as water skiing or power boating, in areas of the lake where blooms are present, as the major route of exposure is ingestion of water. Toxins are not absorbed through the skin. However, those with skin sensitivities may get a puffy red rash.

OHA encourages people to visit Fairview Lake and enjoy activities such as fishing, camping, hiking, biking, picnicking, bird watching, canoeing and kayaking. Boating is safe as long as speeds do not create excessive water spray. Sprays could lead to the risk of inhaling cyanotoxins.

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 park management or the local health department with questions about water available at nearby 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.

Children and pets

Children and pets are at increased risk for exposure because of their size and level of activity. 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 crust along the shore. This is regardless of a recreational use health advisory in place.

Dogs can become ill and die from water intoxication after drinking excessive amounts of water while swimming or fetching objects for long periods of time. Intoxication is a potentially fatal disturbance in brain function resulting from an imbalance of electrolytes in the body. Water intoxication and heat stroke can cause similar symptoms as exposure to cyanotoxins.

Symptoms

Exposure to cyanotoxins can be serious and cause a range of symptoms. Symptoms may be similar to food poisoning such as stomach cramping, 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 experience weakness, difficulty walking, seizures, lethargy, loss of appetite and more. If a dog exhibits symptoms, veterinary treatment should be sought as quickly as possible.

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 before cooking or freezing. Toxins are more likely to collect in these tissues. 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.

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July 18, 2024

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

Recreational use advisory issued for Turner Lake July 18

PORTLAND, Ore.—Oregon Health Authority (OHA) issued a recreational use health advisory today for Turner Lake due to the presence of a cyanobacteria bloom. The lake is in Marion County.

People should avoid swimming and high-speed water activities, such as water skiing or power boating, in areas of the lake where blooms are present, as the major route of exposure is ingestion of water. Toxins are not absorbed through the skin. However, those with skin sensitivities may get a puffy red rash.

OHA encourages people to visit Turner Lake and enjoy activities such as fishing, camping, hiking, biking, picnicking, bird watching, canoeing and kayaking. Boating is safe as long as speeds do not create excessive water spray. Sprays could lead to the risk of inhaling cyanotoxins.

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.

Children and pets

Children and pets are at increased risk for exposure because of their size and level of activity. 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 crust along the shore. This is regardless of a recreational use health advisory in place.

Dogs can become ill and die from water intoxication after drinking excessive amounts of water while swimming or fetching objects for long periods of time. Intoxication is a potentially fatal disturbance in brain function resulting from an imbalance of electrolytes in the body. Water intoxication and heat stroke can cause similar symptoms as exposure to cyanotoxins.

Symptoms

Exposure to cyanotoxins can be serious and cause a range of symptoms. Symptoms may be similar to food poisoning such as stomach cramping, 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 experience weakness, difficulty walking, seizures, lethargy, loss of appetite and more. If a dog exhibits symptoms, veterinary treatment should be sought as quickly as possible.

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 before cooking or freezing. Toxins are more likely to collect in these tissues. 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.

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July 16, 2024

Media contact: Larry Bingham, 971-239-6499, PHD.Communications@oha.oregon.gov

Note: This July 17 update upgrades the precautionary advisory to a full advisory for the North Santiam River from Mehama upstream to (and including) Big Cliff Reservoir and Detroit Reservoir.

Recreational use advisories issued for North Santiam River, Big Cliff Reservoir and Detroit Reservoir July 16

PORTLAND, Ore.—Oregon Health Authority (OHA) issued a recreational use health advisory today for the North Santiam River from the confluence with the South Santiam River upstream to (and including) Big Cliff Reservoir and Detroit Reservoir due to the presence of cyanotoxins above recreational use values for human exposure.

People should avoid swimming and high-speed water activities, such as water skiing or power boating, in areas of the river and reservoirs where blooms are present, as the major route of exposure is ingestion of water. Toxins are not absorbed through the skin. However, those with skin sensitivities may get a puffy red rash.

OHA encourages people to visit North Santiam River, Big Cliff Reservoir and Detroit Reservoir to enjoy activities such as fishing, camping, hiking, biking, picnicking, bird watching, canoeing and kayaking. Boating is safe as long as speeds do not create excessive water spray. Sprays could lead to the risk of inhaling cyanotoxins.

Drinking water

Drinking water directly from areas of the river and reservoirs 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.

Children and pets

Children and pets are at increased risk for exposure because of their size and level of activity. 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 crust along the shore. This is regardless of a recreational use health advisory in place.

Dogs can become ill and die from water intoxication after drinking excessive amounts of water while swimming or fetching objects for long periods of time. Intoxication is a potentially fatal disturbance in brain function resulting from an imbalance of electrolytes in the body. Water intoxication and heat stroke can cause similar symptoms as exposure to cyanotoxins.

Symptoms

Exposure to cyanotoxins can be serious and cause a range of symptoms. Symptoms may be similar to food poisoning such as stomach cramping, 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 experience weakness, difficulty walking, seizures, lethargy, loss of appetite and more. If a dog exhibits symptoms, veterinary treatment should be sought as quickly as possible.

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 before cooking or freezing. Toxins are more likely to collect in these tissues. 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.

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July 16, 2024

Media contact: Jonathan Modie, 971-246-9139, PHD.Communications@oha.oregon.gov

Dr. Naomi Adeline-Biggs named OHA’s public health director

She begins her new role at OHA Aug. 19 after two years as Polk County’s public health administrator

PORTLAND, Ore.—Naomi Adeline-Biggs, MBBS, MPH, Polk County’s public health administrator since 2022, has been appointed permanent director of Oregon Health Authority’s (OHA) Public Health Division, effective Aug. 19.

As Polk County Public Health administrator, Dr. Adeline-Biggs has overseen 25 programs. She commissioned the 2024-2027 Polk County Public Health Strategic Plan and piloted a Health Services Communication Assessment that incorporated administrative services, public health, behavioral health and developmental disability services to improve critical public health services and information sharing with communities. She also established an epidemiology team to improve collaboration between staff involved in disease investigation, data analysis and communications. And she relaunched the county’s Babies First! and CaCoon Home Visiting programs after a two-year hiatus due to COVID-19 and limited nurse capacity.

During her time at Polk County, Dr. Adeline-Biggs also served as board chair for the Oregon Coalition of Local Health Officials, where she presided over monthly board meetings, testified before state legislators in support of public health modernization, and presented about public health funding to the Association of Oregon Counties.

Dr. Adeline-Biggs came to Oregon after serving the World Health Organization (WHO) during the COVID-19 pandemic in Seychelles in East Africa, providing incident management expertise and leadership in communicable diseases, HIV/AIDS, geographic information systems (GIS), laboratory services and immunizations.

“I’m delighted to join Oregon Health Authority at a time when the agency pursues a critical 2030 goal of eliminating health inequities – a goal I enthusiastically support,” Dr. Adeline-Biggs said. “I’m looking forward to collaborating with the Public Health Division staff and partners across the state to improve the lives of everyone in Oregon.”

OHA Director Dr. Sejal Hathi said she’s “thrilled to have Dr. Adeline-Biggs join the OHA leadership team and lead our state Public Health Division work as we continue to pursue our 2030 goal of eliminating health inequities.”

“Dr. Adeline-Biggs has demonstrated, throughout her career, a genuine commitment to ensuring all people and communities can achieve optimum physical, mental, and social well-being through partnerships, prevention, and access to quality, affordable health care,” Dr. Hathi said.

As a physician in her home country of Seychelles, Dr. Adeline-Biggs advocated for large-scale policy changes that led to reduced health disparities and widespread promotion of health literacy, particularly among LGBTQ+ and incarcerated patients. During the pandemic, as a WHO employee, she stood up preparedness and response efforts and developed a rapid data reporting system.

Cara Biddlecom, who has served as the Public Health Division’s interim director since October 2023 and at OHA since 2008, is leaving the agency Friday, July 19, when she plans to relocate to the East Coast.

Biddlecom has brought “transformational leadership to the Public Health Division at a critical time for our state and our agency,” said Dr. Hathi. “She has helped grow the division, implement public health modernization, increase investments in local, Tribal, community-based and state public health, and sustain infrastructure for health equity in the Public Health Division. I’m incredibly grateful for her leadership and wish her the very best.”

Kirsten Aird, the Public Health Division’s interim deputy director, will serve as interim state public health director until Dr. Adeline-Biggs starts Aug. 19.

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July 15, 2024

Media contact: Amber Shoebridge, 503-931-9586 amber.shoebridge@oha.oregon.gov 

*NOT FOR PUBLICATION OR AIR* 

Media Invitation

What: Oregon State Hospital Campus Naming Ceremony

When: Tuesday, July 16, 3-4:35 p.m.

Where: Please RSVP for exact location and parking information

Details: In accordance with Executive Order No. 22-25, the Oregon Health Authority is naming the state hospital facility in Salem the Peter Courtney Salem Campus of the Oregon State Hospital in honor of the state senator and his years of service. Attendees will include Governor Tina Kotek; Oregon Health Authority Director Sejal Hathi, M.D., MBA; and Oregon State Hospital Chief Medical Officer and Interim Superintendent Sara Walker, M.D.; as well as friends and family of Senator Courtney.

Senator Courtney served in the Oregon Legislative Assembly, both in the House of Representatives and the Senate, for 38 years, making him the longest-serving legislator in Oregon's history. He served a record 20 years as Senate President, after serving as House Democratic leader.

Senator Courtney was instrumental in the effort to replace the original 1883 Oregon State Hospital with new and refurbished facilities in 2011, including a public memorial to the unclaimed cremated remains of nearly 3,500 Oregonians who had died while patients at the Oregon State Hospital and other institutions in the area.

*NOT FOR PUBLICATION OR AIR*

July 11, 2024  

Media contact: Timothy Heider, 971-599-0459, timothy.heider@oha.oregon.gov 

Annual Ombudsman report urges greater priority on providing culturally responsive health services and eliminating closed behavioral health networks  

SALEM, Ore. –Oregon Health Authority (OHA) has realized gains in providing access to culturally responsive health services, according to a 2023 year-end report issued by OHA’s Ombuds program.  

But the report also urges OHA to take more steps to further broaden access to these programs and to expand the Ombuds program’s capacity to more effectively respond “to the complexity of current multi-system casework that reflect statewide gaps in mental health and substance abuse care” for Oregon Health Plan (OHP) members.  

“OHA must work collaboratively with coordinated care organizations (CCOs) while also acting on equity-centered Oregon Health Plan member policy solutions for our statewide behavioral health crisis,” said Sarah Dobra, OHA Ombuds program manager. 

"OHA must ensure in the next CCO’s procurement that CCOs contract with all willing and licensed behavioral health providers,” she added.   

The report is based on Ombuds Program data, member stories and experiences, along with other statewide data.   

The 2023 report “presents no new concerns” but continues to elevate concerns from previous years. (Annual reports since 2020 can be found on the OHA website.)

The report called for more efforts in two categories:

• Providing language access and culturally responsive services, and

Eliminating closed behavior health networks.  

Language access and culturally responsive services

While the report lists successes over the past four years to increase accessibility to culturally responsive care, it also raised numerous concerns about existing challenges.  

OHP members who prefer a language other than English, or seek culturally responsive care, still experience service gaps, and are often overwhelmed by the complexities of the system, which sometimes results in poorer quality of care.  

The report recommends adding enhanced payments to physical and dental services providers who provide culturally responsive services. This is already done within behavioral health.  

Eliminate closed behavioral health networks

The complexities of the system take a toll on Ombuds program resources. Over the four years, the program’s casework, and advocacy for OHP participants experiencing substance use disorders or mental health concerns increased by 87 percent.  

This requires improved coordination and a need for shared solutions between OHA’s Medicaid and Behavioral Health Divisions, according to the report.  

Other concerns include:

• Insufficient statewide capacity for residential substance use disorder services, resulting in OHP members struggling to find those services in their CCO networks.
• Member access is further limited by CCO provider networks that either lack availability by specialty or may not work with all inpatient facilities willing to accept OHP members.
• Lack of real-time updates to OHP provider directories, resulting in “ghost networks” that presume there is provider availability, when there is not.
• Inadequate access to substance use provider networks. On average, CCOs, contract with only nine of Oregon’s 47 licensed facilities, meaning that a CCO member’s ability to gain timely access to treatment is dependent on which CCO they are in.
• Limited CCO mental health networks for mental health clinicians which leads to OHP members being unable to access mental health providers contracted with their CCO.

The Ombuds program supports Oregon’s efforts to advance better health, lower costs, and better care for everyone in Oregon.   

OHP members encountering barriers or challenges to accessible care are encouraged to work directly with their CCO to resolve their concerns. All members have the right to ask for a care coordinator.   

CCOs and Care Coordinators are often best equipped to support and resolve OHP member access to care and quality of care concerns in a timely manner.    

OHP members who have not received the support they need from OHA or from a CCO can contact the Ombuds program for support by email or by phone (1-877-642-0450).   

Contact information and a phone message line are available in 14 languages and can be found on the OHA Ombuds program website.  

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July 10, 2024 

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

LUBGWMA well users encouraged to retest water for nitrates, OHA to continue offering free well testing   

Latest effort is the next step following summer 2023 campaign that offered free testing, treatment 

PORTLAND, Ore. — People in the Lower Umatilla Basin Groundwater Management Area (LUBGWMA) who had their well water tested for nitrates in 2023 are encouraged to take advantage of free retesting to make sure their water remains safe.  

The LUBGWMA is an area spanning northern Morrow County and northwestern Umatilla County designated by the state due to high nitrate levels in groundwater that supplies domestic wells. 

Oregon Health Authority (OHA), in partnership with Morrow and Umatilla counties and a coalition of community-based organizations, mailed a letter in English and Spanish on May 15 to about 1,600 households that completed initial well water tests in 2023. The mailing included a brochure in English and Spanish that encourages people to take advantage of free retesting of their well water.  

On June 12, the same households received letters with individual results of their past tests and a brochure to help them understand the results, as well as instructions, time frame and frequency for retesting their well based on their previous results. 

Retesting of households with well water close to the health action level of 10 milligrams nitrate per liter (mg/L) of water is especially important because nitrate levels can fluctuate during different seasons of the year. Nitrate in well water is a potential health hazard, and levels above 10 mg/L are considered dangerous for human consumption. Pregnant people and babies face the greatest risk.  

Anyone who lives in the LUBGWMA can get a free laboratory analysis of their well water by visiting the website testmywell.oregon.gov or emailing Domestic.Wells@odhsoha.oregon.gov. They can also call the OHA Domestic Well Safety Program at 541-952-9254. 

Households with a laboratory nitrate test result above 10 mg/L can receive free water delivery. For households whose well water tests higher than 10 mg/L but under 25 mg/L, the state will pay for installation and maintenance of one in-home reverse-osmosis system that is certified to reduce nitrate levels to safe for drinking (treatment systems are not certified to remove nitrate at levels above 25 mg/L). Households with a laboratory nitrate test result higher than 25 can receive free water delivery. 

OHA is coordinating the re-testing outreach effort in close partnership with Morrow County Public Health Department, Umatilla County Public Health Department, Oregon Department of Human Services, and many community organizations: Doulas Latinas, Eastern Oregon Center for Independent Living, Euvalcree, National Center for Alternatives to Pesticides, Oregon Rural Action and Water for Eastern Oregon (H2OEO). These organizations can help connect domestic well users to the safe water services offered by the state through OHA. 

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July 9, 2024

Media contact: Jonathan Modie, 971-246-9139, PHD.Communications@oha.oregon.gov

Oregon among 27 states with illnesses linked to mushroom-derived candies

Prophet Premium Blends in California recalling Diamond Shruumz products

PORTLAND, Ore.—Oregon is one of 27 states with cases of a severe acute illness associated with a brand of candies that contain a potentially harmful chemical found in mushrooms, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notified epidemiologists at the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) Public Health Division July 5 that Oregon is now part of a nationwide FDA outbreak investigation involving products manufactured by Prophet Premium Blends of Santa Ana, Calif.

The company has issued a recall of chocolate bars, cones and gummies sold under the brand Diamond Shruumz, including “Micro- and Mega/Extreme-Dose” versions of the products. According to the FDA, the products contain muscimol, a chemical found in mushrooms of the genus Amanita, and which could cause symptoms consistent with those observed in persons who became ill after eating Diamond Shruumz products. These products are not regulated for consumer safety.

Reported symptoms that may be related to the recalled products have included those linked to seizures, agitation, involuntary muscle contractions, loss of consciousness, confusion, sleepiness, nausea and vomiting, abnormal heart rates, and hyper/hypotension.

Oregon has one case. The individual has recovered from the illness. CDC reports there now are 58 cases across the country, with 30 hospitalizations. One death also is being investigated.

The FDA says Diamond Shruumz-brand products should no longer be available for sale. The products were previously available online and in person at a variety of retail locations nationwide, including smoke/vape shops. They also were available at retailers that sell hemp-derived products such as cannabidiol (CBD) or delta-8 tetrahydrocannabinol (delta-8 THC).

OHA and FDA are making the following recommendations:

• Consumers should not eat, sell or serve any flavor of Diamond Shruumz-brand chocolate bars, cones or gummies.
• Consumers should check their homes and discard these products, or return them to the company for a refund.
• These products may appeal to children and teenagers. Parents and caregivers should consider discussing the information in this advisory with their children and take extra care to prevent children from eating them.
• Retailers should not sell or distribute any flavor of Diamond Shruumz-brand chocolate bars, cones, or gummies, and should hold the product in a secure location and contact Diamond Shruumz to initiate the return and refund.
• Those who become ill after consuming these products should contact their health care provider and/or call the Oregon Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222. Let Poison Center staff know you have recently consumed the Diamond Shruumz-brand chocolate bars, cones, and/or gummies.
• Health care providers should report these illnesses to the Oregon Poison Center.

For more information:

• CDC investigation page, https://www.cdc.gov/environmental-health-studies/outbreak-investigation-diamond-shruumz-products/index.html#cdc_generic_section_1-outbreak-investigation-summary
• FDA investigation page, https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/investigation-illnesses-diamond-shruumz-brand-chocolate-bars-cones-gummies-june-2024
• FDA product recall page, https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/prophet-premium-blends-recalls-diamond-shruumz-products-because-possible-health-risk

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July 9, 2024 

Media contact: Dean Carson, 503-348-9233, dean.carson2@oha.oregon.gov 

Oregon youth suicide data shows action needed to close equity gaps 

Despite culturally responsive suicide prevention efforts, racial inequities remain 

Editor’s Note: If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available 24/7. Call or text 988 or chat online at 988Lifeline.org. Specialized support is also available through the Veterans Crisis Line (press 1 or text 838255), in Spanish (press 2 or text “AYUDA” to 988) and for LGBTQIA2S+ youth and young adults (press 3 or text “PRIDE” to 988). 988 is also available for individuals who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing through American Sign Language videophone services.  

Salem, Ore.—Oregon Health Authority’s (OHA) Youth Suicide Intervention and Prevention Plan (YSIPP) annual report, which contains new analysis of 2022 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) death by suicide data, shows the risk of youth suicide continues to be a concern in Oregon, particularly for youth of color. 

In 2022, the most recent year of finalized data from the CDC, 109 Oregon youth ages 24 and younger died by suicide, Oregon’s first year-to-year increase since 2018. Despite the 2022 increase (up from 95 deaths in 2021), there were 16% fewer youth deaths in 2022 compared with a peak of 129 deaths in 2018. Moreover, preliminary data, which will not be finalized until spring 2025, suggest that 2023 will not see a further year-to-year increase in youth suicide rates. 

The 2022 data show that Oregon had the 12th highest youth suicide rate in the U.S. Suicide remains the second-leading cause of death in Oregon among this age group.  

The YSIPP annual report also highlights Oregon’s investments in this area, including support for statewide programming in youth suicide prevention, intervention and postvention services. The report details important advances in youth suicide prevention in Oregon, such as the addition of 343 suicide prevention trainers in the state, including 67 who speak languages other than English.     

In a letter to Oregonians accompanying the report, OHA Behavioral Health Director Ebony Clarke notes, “We have made some progress to create a system of suicide prevention that is better connected and better resourced. Yet, the tragedy of youth suicide remains. We need to do more, particularly for young people of color.”  

Data highlighted in the report show that stark racial disparities remain, both in Oregon and nationwide. Oregon deaths by suicide for youth identified as white have decreased overall since the overall peak in 2018, but the number of suicides for youth of other races and ethnicities either remained similar to 2018 or have increased.  

OHA’s suicide prevention team, along with the hundreds of suicide prevention trainers, advocates, community members and champions around the state, including the Oregon Alliance to Prevent Suicide, are working to implement key initiatives for youth suicide prevention discussed in the YSIPP. This includes programming that supports young people to find hope, help and strength, training programs to teach youth-serving adults how to recognize warning signs of suicide, and advanced skills training for providers to be equipped to help clients heal from thoughts of suicide.   

OHA and its partners are also working hard to launch culturally specific initiatives to increase protective factors that support youth in Oregon. In 2023-24, these efforts have included: 

• Tribal prevention programs amplifying “culture as prevention” and hosting train-the-trainers for OHA’s “Big River” youth suicide prevention programming, which is available across the state at low or no cost. 
• Black, African and African American youth-serving adults creating and sustaining the Black Youth Suicide Prevention Coalition, which is helping to bring healing to Black communities and creating spaces for young people to gather and feel a sense of belonging. Oregon also was one of eight states invited to participate in the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Black Youth Suicide Prevention Initiative Policy Academy, which was highlighted as a key “Health Equity in Suicide Prevention” strategy in the federal government’s recently released 10-year 2024 National Strategy for Suicide Prevention. 
• OHA infused an additional $500,000 of funding to increase the availability of suicide prevention training and trainers who are Latino/a/x, Spanish-speaking or both. 
• Oregon’s suicide prevention leaders are also working with Joyce Chu and Chris Weaver of the Culture & Suicide Prevention Institute, to infuse their cultural theory and model for suicide prevention into existing trainings, policies and programming. This work, which will increase attention to culturally specific risk and protective factors in Oregon’s suicide prevention efforts, is also an equity initiative highlighted in the 2024 National Strategy. 

Alfonso Ramirez, interim director of OHA’s Equity & Inclusion Division, reflected on the power of suicide prevention that centers connections to culture and belonging. Ramirez said, “Thanks to our community partners and leaders, we’ve recognized how important it is to also focus on the cultural strengths and wisdom that have been passed on for generations across communities. As we do work in this way, we experience a bit of healing ourselves.”  

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July 3, 2024

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

Oregon approved to offer Medicaid coverage to people leaving carceral settings

New Oregon Health Plan benefits 90 days prior to carceral release will reduce health inequities and improve access to care

SALEM, Ore. – Oregon has been approved to use federal funding to allow people who are incarcerated to access Medicaid coverage 90 days prior to release, in an effort to support their reentry into the community and prevent gaps in physical and mental health care after release.

Federal law currently prohibits the use of federal Medicaid funds for health care services for people when they are inmates of public institutions. This means Oregon Health Plan (OHP) members have their Medicaid enrollment suspended once they enter incarceration, even if it is for a brief time; when they leave incarceration and restart health coverage, there is often a delay in access to medications, linking to community-based providers, and receiving physical, mental health, and addiction treatment.  

“This approval is an important first step in making it possible for people leaving a carceral setting to be able to better access the care they need, including medications for opioid use disorders,” said Dave Baden, deputy director for Policy and Programs. “Oregon Health Authority is looking forward to working with carceral institutions and community partners to build these services in the coming years to make them available.”

Services will apply to people in state prisons, county jails, state and county youth correctional facilities. There are more than 60 institutions in Oregon with more than 20,000 beds anticipated to be eligible to participate.

Oregon has been in negotiations with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) since February 2022. During that time, OHA has been listening to the needs of state and local partners about the expansion of Medicaid benefits in carceral settings. Several leaders responded to today’s news with support:

• “This decision is exciting and a gigantic step in our attempt of successful rehabilitation for those incarcerated returning to the community,” said Captain Lee Eby, Jail Commander, Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office. “I have seen the effects of our current system where the gap experienced hinders desperately needed access to care and services for those leaving incarceration to continue down their path of recovery.  This funding will be a huge tool for jail and prisons in helping those incarcerated receive proper discharge planning for successful reentry into the community, ensuring the continuation of care for one of our most vulnerable populations.”
• “The Department of Corrections looks forward to providing those releasing from our care and custody any additional resources possible,” said Michael Reese, Director of Oregon Department of Corrections. “Having Medicaid services prior to reentering Oregon’s communities is one step in ensuring continuity of care and community standards of care when individuals walk out the door.”
• Similar to other Oregon youth, youth in Oregon Youth Authority facilities are presenting with more complex mental health conditions, including substance use disorder. Joe O’Leary, Director of the Oregon Youth Authority, noted that CMS’s decision will not only support treatment while youth are in facilities, but also facilitate continuity of care when youth transition back to communities.

“Oregonians are safer when justice-involved youth get the health care they need both during and after their time with us,” said O’Leary. “This decision will boost outcomes for our youth and help them lead productive, crime-free lives.”

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through CMS, granted OHA authority for the new benefit on July 2.

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July 3, 2024  

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

Español

Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace Seeks Proposals for State-Based Marketplace Vendor 

Salem, Oregon - The Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace is excited to announce a request for proposals (RFP) for a state-based marketplace vendor. This initiative aims to enhance the efficiency, accessibility, and user experience of the Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace, ensuring that Oregonians have seamless access to affordable, quality health coverage.

About the project

Senate Bill 972 (2023) requires the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) to transition the Marketplace from a state-based marketplace using the federal platform (SBM-FP) to a SBM using its own technology in time for open enrollment for plan year 2027. Specifically, OHA is required to procure and administer both an information technology platform and call center, to replace the federal platform and call center, and provide electronic access to the health insurance exchange in this state by November 1, 2026. 

About the RFP

The RFP invites qualified vendors with a proven track record in developing and managing health insurance marketplaces to submit comprehensive proposals. The ideal vendor will demonstrate expertise in creating user-friendly platforms, integrating advanced technology solutions, and providing robust customer support services. This move is part of Oregon’s ongoing commitment to improve healthcare accessibility and affordability for all its residents. 

Interested vendors can access the full RFP document on OregonBuys, the state procurement website. Proposals must be submitted by August 12, 2024. For more information, please visit OregonBuys.gov. 

About the Marketplace

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. 

3 de julio de 2024 

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

El Mercado de Seguros Médicos de Oregon busca propuestas para proveedores del mercado estatal

Salem, Oregon - El Mercado de Seguros Médicos de Oregon se complace en anunciar una solicitud de propuestas (RFP, por sus siglas en inglés) para un proveedor del mercado con sede en el estado. Esta iniciativa tiene como objetivo mejorar la eficiencia, la accesibilidad y la experiencia del usuario del Mercado de Seguros Médicos de Oregon, garantizando que los habitantes de Oregon tengan acceso sin inconvenientes a una cobertura médica asequible y de calidad. 

Sobre el Proyecto

El Proyecto de Ley del Senado 972 (2023) requiere que la Oregon Health Authority (OHA, por sus siglas en inglés) haga la transición del Mercado de un Mercado estatal que utiliza la plataforma federal (SBM-FP) a un Mercado estatal (SBM, por sus siglas en inglés) que utiliza su propia tecnología a tiempo para la inscripción abierta para el año del plan 2027. Específicamente, se requiere que la OHA adquiera y administre una plataforma o servicio de tecnología de la información y un centro de llamadas, separado de la plataforma federal y el centro de llamadas, para proporcionar acceso electrónico al intercambio de seguros de salud en este estado antes del 1 de noviembre de 2026.  

Acerca de la convocatoria de propuestas (RFP)

La convocatoria invita a los proveedores calificados con una trayectoria comprobada en el desarrollo y la gestión de mercados de seguros de salud a presentar propuestas integrales. El proveedor ideal demostrará experiencia en la creación de plataformas fáciles de usar, la integración de soluciones tecnológicas avanzadas y la prestación de servicios sólidos de atención al cliente. Esta iniciativa forma parte del compromiso continuo de Oregon de mejorar la accesibilidad y la asequibilidad de la atención médica para todos sus habitantes. 

Los proveedores interesados ​​pueden acceder al documento completo de la convocatoria en OregonBuys, el sitio web de contratación del estado. Las propuestas deben presentarse antes del 12 de agosto de 2024. Para obtener más información, visite OregonBuys.gov. 

Acerca del Mercado

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 empleo 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, visite CuidadoDeSalud.Oregon.gov.

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July 3, 2024

Media contact: Jonathan Modie, 971-246-9139, PHD.Communications@oha.oregon.gov

OHA offers tips for staying safe around farm animals at county fairs

‘Common-sense’ approaches for avoiding exposure to avian influenza include washing hands often, avoiding eating or drinking while in animal areas

PORTLAND, Ore. – Summertime is county fair season, and as people head out to enjoy these annual events showcasing Oregon’s agricultural communities, health officials are sharing tips for preventing exposure to avian influenza and other diseases that farm animals can spread.

“County fairs are so important for celebrating agriculture education and the dedication of Oregon’s agricultural communities. Farm animal exhibits are a big part of what makes these events so fun,” said Dean Sidelinger, M.D., M.S.Ed., health officer and state epidemiologist at Oregon Health Authority (OHA). “There are a few common-sense actions people can take to keep the fun going while preventing exposure to germs animals carry that can make people sick.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 136 dairy cow herds across 12 states have confirmed cases of H5N1 avian influenza. No dairy cow or human cases have been reported in Oregon.

The CDC has recommendations for reducing infection risk in settings where people and animals are in close contact, such as fairs, exhibitions and shows, for people viewing and showing animals:

• Stay home if you are experiencing flu-like illness to avoid spreading your illness to other people and animals.
• Keep toys, pacifiers, cups, bottles, strollers or similar items out of animal areas.
• Don’t eat, drink or put anything in your mouth or touch your eyes while in animal areas, such as barns and show arenas.
• Wash your hands often with soap and running water after touching animals, animal-associated equipment or their environments, such as a barn or enclosure. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

For people exhibiting animals:

• Minimize direct contact with pigs, poultry, cattle and other animals that look or act sick. Wear personal protective equipment (PPE) – protective clothing, gloves, goggles and a respirator or well-fitting mask that covers your mouth and nose – if you must come in contact with animals that may be ill.
• Farm animals such as pigs, poultry and cattle should remain at the fair or exhibition for shorter periods of time – ideally, 72 hours or less – to prevent or interrupt the spread of flu among them.
• Animals that are sick or from herds with a recent history of respiratory disease should be kept at home to prevent further spread of illness.
• Watch animals before and during the fair for signs of illness, such as loss of appetite, fever, tiredness, eye redness, cough, runny nose or appearance of discomfort. If you suspect illness, immediately contact the fair veterinarian or fair manager, remove sick animals from the exhibition area and avoid close contact with sick animals.
• Clean and disinfect all tack, feeders, waterers, equipment and show supplies before and after bringing them to the fair or show. Do not share equipment used for other animals.

Human symptoms of H5N1, a type of influenza A – as well as the more common seasonal flu viruses – include:

• Fever or feeling feverish.
• Cough.
• Sore throat.
• Runny or stuffy nose.
• Muscle or body aches.
• Headaches.
• Fatigue.
• Sometimes vomiting or diarrhea.
• Eye redness/irritation or eye discharge, which is more common in humans infected with animal influenza viruses than seasonal influenza viruses.

Children younger than 5, adults 65 and older, pregnant people and those with certain chronic medical conditions are at higher risk of developing serious flu complications and should limit contact with animals that could carry influenza viruses, such as pigs, poultry and cattle.

Officials at the OHA Public Health Division’s Acute and Communicable Disease Prevention Section are working closely with the Oregon Department of Agriculture, local public health authorities, and health care partners to monitor for H5N1 avian influenza and other animal-borne respiratory viruses.

This week, OHA epidemiologists sent a statewide Health Alert Network advisory to clinicians and laboratories recommending they test for influenza viruses and monitor for novel influenza A virus infections, such as from H5N1. Clinicians should ask all patients seeking care for influenza-like illness outside the influenza season about cattle and pig exposure, fair attendance, and contact with birds with known or suspected avian influenza virus infection, and provide testing and treatment to those who report these exposures.

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July 3, 2024

Media contact: Jonathan Modie, 971-246-9139, PHD.Communications@oha.oregon.gov

Recreational use advisory issued for McKay Reservoir July 3

PORTLAND, Ore.—Oregon Health Authority (OHA) issued a recreational use health advisory today for McKay Reservoir due to the presence of a cyanobacteria bloom that may have contributed to animal illnesses. The lake is in Umatilla County.

People should avoid swimming and high-speed water activities, such as water skiing or power boating, in areas of the reservoir where blooms are present, as the major route of exposure is ingestion of water. Toxins are not absorbed through the skin. However, those with skin sensitivities may get a puffy red rash.

OHA encourages people to visit McKay Reservoir and enjoy activities such as fishing, camping, hiking, biking, picnicking, bird watching, canoeing and kayaking. Boating is safe as long as speeds do not create excessive water spray. Sprays could lead to the risk of inhaling cyanotoxins.

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.

Children and pets

Children and pets are at increased risk for exposure because of their size and level of activity. 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 crust along the shore. This is regardless of a recreational use health advisory in place.

Dogs can become ill and die from water intoxication after drinking excessive amounts of water while swimming or fetching objects for long periods of time. Intoxication is a potentially fatal disturbance in brain function resulting from an imbalance of electrolytes in the body. Water intoxication and heat stroke can cause similar symptoms as exposure to cyanotoxins.

Symptoms

Exposure to cyanotoxins can be serious and cause a range of symptoms. Symptoms may be similar to food poisoning such as stomach cramping, 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 experience weakness, difficulty walking, seizures, lethargy, loss of appetite and more. If a dog exhibits symptoms, veterinary treatment should be sought as quickly as possible.

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 before cooking or freezing. Toxins are more likely to collect in these tissues. 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.

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July 2, 2024 

Media contact: Jonathan Modie, 971-246-9139, PHD.Communications@oha.oregon.gov 

Heat advisories prompt OHA warning about heat-related illness

Tips for staying cool include limiting sun exposure, wearing light clothing, knowing signs of heat stroke 

PORTLAND, Ore. – Oregon Health Authority is encouraging people to take steps to avoid heat-related illnesses such as heat stroke and heat exhaustion as advisories predicting triple-digit temperatures go into effect this week. 

Older adults, infants and children, those who live or work outdoors, have low incomes, or who have a chronic medical condition are particularly vulnerable to the effects of extremely high temperatures. Heat-related illnesses among these groups are likely to increase as heat waves occur more often than usual – and at higher temperatures – around the state. 

OHA offers these tips to stay safe and healthy during extreme heat:  

1. Stay cool. 

• Stay in air-conditioned places, if possible. 
• Limit exposure to the sun from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. when temperatures are hottest, and avoid direct sunlight. Schedule outdoor activities in the early morning and late evening. 
• Open windows to allow fresh air to circulate if it cools off in the morning and evening hours. Close shades on south and west-facing windows during afternoon hours. 
• Use portable electric fans to push hot air out of rooms or draw in cooler air, but don’t rely on a fan as a primary cooling device. 
• Wear loose-fitting, lightweight and light-colored clothing to keep cool and protect skin from the sun. Dress infants and children similarly.  
• Use cool compresses, misting and cool showers or baths to lower your body temperature. 
• Avoid hot foods and heavy meals, which increase body heat. 
• Never leave infants, children or pets in a parked car
• Check on at-risk friends, family and neighbors several times a day. Heat-related illnesses can make it hard to think clearly. This means people may be in danger without realizing it. Make sure loved ones have what they need to stay cool. 

2. Stay hydrated. 

• Regardless of your level of activity, drink plenty of fluids, even if you are not thirsty, and especially when working outside.  
• Avoid alcohol or liquids containing large amounts of sugar, which can increase dehydration. Alcohol can be especially dangerous when used as a substitute for water hydration, and increases risks of alcohol-related injuries. 
• Make sure your family, friends and neighbors drink enough water. 

3. Stay informed. 

• Keep up to date on the heat risk and heat index when planning activities so you can find ways to stay cool and hydrated.  
• Learn how to prevent, recognize and treat heat-related illnesses.
• Heat-related illness can develop in as little as 10-15 minutes. It can happen indoors and outdoors.  
• Some heat-related illnesses can be managed at home or at urgent care. However, if you or someone you see is experiencing confusion or unconsciousness due to heat exposure, call 911. It is a medical emergency.  

Ways to stay cool without an air conditioner:

• Air conditioners can help you stay cool, but not everyone has one. Visiting friends with an air conditioner or going to cooling centers in your community can help you stay cool. 
• Local houses of worship and libraries may be open to the public during times of extreme heat. Splash pads and shopping centers can also be places to cool off.  
• Water is also great for cooling you off when it’s hot. Drape yourself with a damp towel, take a cool bath or shower or take a dip in a fountain. These actions can help cool you off in a hurry and work better when it’s not humid.  
• If you have a cooler part of the house, such as a basement, spend time there during the hottest parts of the day. 

For more information, visit OHA’s website: www.oregon.gov/heat. 

Air conditioners for eligible OHP members

Oregon launched new climate-related benefits as part of the state’s federally funded expansion of Oregon Health Plan (OHP) coverage, which includes health-related social needs (HRSN) services that help maintain health and well-being but are not traditionally thought of as medical services. New services include providing climate-control devices such as air conditioners, air filters, mini refrigeration units and portable power supplies to eligible OHP members. 

OHP members interested in receiving climate devices should contact their coordinated care organization (CCO) to learn more. OHP Open Card members can call 1-888-834-4304 or email ORHRSN@acentra.com. If an OHP member is not sure which plan or CCO they are in, they can call the OHA Client Services Unit at 1-800-273-0557.

OHP members who don’t qualify for HRSN climate devices can still contact their CCO to see if climate supports are available through “flexible services” (also called “health-related services”). OHP Open Card members who don’t qualify for HRSN climate devices can still contact 1-888-834-4304 or their county to learn about local programs providing climate supports this summer. For non-OHP members in Oregon, some cities and counties have similar programs with a limited supply of devices.   

Contact 211

During periods of extreme heat, counties often open cooling spaces for local communities to seek relief from high temperatures; these will be listed here, by county, based on the information shared with 211 by the shelter providers. Opening hours are based on specific counties' and individual agencies' criteria. 

Methods to contact 211: 

• CALL 211 or 1-866-698-6155 or TTY: dial 711 and call 1-866-698-6155, 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. 
• TEXT your ZIP code to 898211 (TXT211), Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 
• EMAIL help@211info.org, Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Language interpreters available by phone; text and email in Spanish and English) 

If there is a shelter that is not listed online, or information that needs to be edited, please email 211’s resource team: support@211info.org. 

During times of emergency incident response, 211’s answer rate may vary

July 2, 2024

Media Contact: Kristen Lambert, kristen.lambert@oha.oregon.gov

Oregon distributes nearly 1,000 air conditioners, air filters and other climate-control devices to Oregon Health Plan members

SALEM, Ore. – Three months after Oregon launched the nation’s first climate-related benefits tied to Medicaid coverage, nearly 1,000 eligible Oregon Health Plan (OHP) members have received vital devices to help keep them healthy.

These devices include air conditioners, heaters, air filters, mini refrigeration units for storing medications, and portable power supplies to operate medical equipment (i.e., ventilators during power outages). Air conditioners made up 44% of the 939 devices distributed from March 1 to May 31.

OHA and partners are working to distribute climate devices to eligible OHP members ahead of heat waves and wildfires this summer. Oregon recorded its hottest years in state history during the last five years, and climate models show the severity of heat waves are likely to increase.

The new climate-related benefits are part of Oregon’s federally funded expansion of OHP coverage, which includes health-related social needs (HRSN) services that help maintain health and well-being but are not traditionally thought of as medical services.

The state is first extending eligibility for climate devices to people who are experiencing life transitions. This includes people who are: currently or previously involved in the Oregon child welfare system; homeless or at risk of becoming homeless; transitioning to dual eligibility for Medicare and Medicaid; adults and youth recently discharged from Institutions for Mental Disease (IMDs) or released within the last year from incarceration. To be eligible, members cannot live in a group setting or shelter and need access to consistent and safe power to use these devices. Climate resources must also be part of a member’s health need or treatment.

“Our climate is changing and the way we deliver health care has to change with it,” said Dave Baden, deputy director of OHA. “People with lower incomes and chronic conditions are among those most likely to experience heat exhaustion, heat stroke or complications of other health conditions related to extreme climate events. Access to these services will reduce health disparities and offer life-saving resources to people in Oregon.”

OHP members interested in receiving climate devices should contact their coordinated care organization (CCO) to learn more. OHP Open Card members can call 1-888-834-4304 or email ORHRSN@acentra.com. If an OHP member is not sure which plan or CCO they are in, they can call the OHA Client Services Unit at 1-800-273-0557.

OHP members who don’t qualify for HRSN climate devices can still contact their CCO to see if climate supports are available through “flexible services” (also called health related services). OHP Open Card members who don’t qualify for HRSN climate devices can still contact 1-888-834-4304 or their county to learn about local programs providing climate supports this summer. For non-OHP members in Oregon, some cities and counties have similar programs with limited supply of devices.

HRSN services are part of Oregon’s 2022 - 2027 1115 Medicaid waiver, which helps provide more federal funding and expanded coverage to OHP members. Medicaid waivers give states the flexibility to test new ways to deliver and pay for Medicaid benefits, with approval from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS). Oregon’s 1115 waiver includes several first-in-the-nation benefits tied to Medicaid coverage.

To learn more about OHA’s new climate-related resources, visit the web site.

*Data included is taken from three sources:

1. CCO "Exhibit L" Quarterly Report for January - March 31, 2024;
2. Open Card contractor settlement reports for March, April and May 2024; and
3. A supplemental survey of CCOs to report climate devices delivered to CCO members in April and May 2024.

All data is preliminary and may be subject to change, so should be interpreted with caution.

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July 1, 2024

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

More Oregonians now qualify for free health coverage

OHP Bridge is anticipated to expand OHP benefits to more than 100,000 people

PORTLAND, Ore. - Oregon is now able to offer free health care coverage to people in more income categories through a new benefit called Oregon Health Plan (OHP) Bridge. An estimated 100,000 people are anticipated to eventually qualify for the new program.

Oregon created the new eligibility category through a Medicaid demonstration assuring coverage for American Indian/Alaska Native populations and by establishing a Basic Health Program (BHP). Oregon is the third state in the nation to establish a BHP.

OHA Director Sejal Hathi, MD, MBA, said, “Oregon Health Plan was one of the first Medicaid programs in the country to expand to adults with lower incomes. The new OHP Bridge program continues Oregon's long history of leading the nation in efforts to make health coverage accessible to everyone in Oregon. It also advances our strategic plan to eliminate health inequities by 2030, by helping to expand access to affordable care for all and honoring our government-to-government relationship with the Tribes.”

What makes OHP Bridge different?

Oregon’s BHP will be administered by OHP, which also administers the state Medicaid program. The name references the goal to “bridge” the health coverage gap between people who have traditional OHP and people who have Marketplace coverage.

OHP Bridge will have no member costs, which means no premiums, co-payments, coinsurance, or deductibles. Oregon will be the first state to offer a BHP with no out-of-pocket costs for members.

CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure said, “The Biden-Harris Administration continues to take every opportunity to make health care coverage accessible and seamless for everyone eligible for our programs, and we applaud Oregon for their launch of their Basic Health Program—the third such program in the U.S. Oregon will offer people there a critical lifeline to health care coverage that’s affordable and within reach. For countless individuals and families, health insurance is not just a policy; it provides the opportunity to focus on the well-being and happiness of their loved ones, without the constant fear of financial ruin due to illness or injury.”

Through OHP Bridge, people in Oregon can get medical, dental and behavioral health care with no member costs. Members will also have access to additional benefits, like transportation to medical appointments and other health-related services.

There are a few things OHP Bridge will not cover that other Medicaid programs cover. OHP Bridge will not cover Long Term Services and Supports that help with tasks of daily living, or Oregon’s new Health Related Social Needs benefit, which covers some climate, food and housing needs.

The federal government granted OHA approval to move forward with OHP Bridge on June 24.

Keeping people covered

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, many adults in Oregon with income just above traditional Medicaid limits were uninsured. Additionally, about 34% of members who lost benefits would return to Medicaid within a year due to fluctuating income. OHP Bridge will help people keep their coverage and their same doctors despite short-term fluctuations in income.

“Virginia Garcia is excited to hear that so many individuals here in Oregon will not have to go without health insurance, thanks to the new OHP Bridge plan,” said Virginia Garcia Chief Executive Officer Gil Munoz. “Our patients rely on the services we provide to stay healthy, and this plan will make that possible.”

Who qualifies?

People in Oregon will qualify for OHP Bridge if they: 

• Are 19 to 64 years old;
• Have an income between 138 percent and 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL);
• Have an eligible citizenship or immigration status; and
• Do not have access to other affordable health insurance.

*These income limits change in March of each year per federal guidelines. 

Starting July 1, people in Oregon can apply for OHP Bridge by going to ONE.Oregon.gov.

Moving to OHP Bridge from Marketplace coverage

People who have coverage through the Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace and are potentially eligible for OHP Bridge will not automatically move when OHP Bridge launches.

If someone with a Marketplace plan is potentially eligible for OHP Bridge, they can potentially keep their coverage and financial help until their automatic re-enrollment period ends if there are no changes to their application. If someone makes any updates to their Marketplace application, like a change in contact information or income, their information may be sent to the state to determine eligibility for OHP programs, including OHP Bridge. There will be additional information for current Marketplace members ahead of open enrollment in the coming months.

Updates must be reported even if they cause people to move to OHP Bridge. This includes changes like moving or an increase or decrease in income. If individuals do not update their application, they may lose financial help from the Marketplace.

Applying for health coverage

Starting July 1, 2024, people in Oregon can apply for OHP Bridge.

• Online. To apply online, individuals can go to benefits.oregon.gov. Individuals can also use that link to find information about how to apply in person, to get help to apply, or to get a paper application.
• By phone. Individuals can apply over the phone by calling the ONE Customer Service Center at 1-800-699-9075. All relay calls accepted, and help is available in many languages.
• With an expert. People who want to explore their health coverage options should reach out to a health coverage expert. Experts are available across Oregon to provide free one-on-one assistance. Individuals who would like help should visit OregonHealthCare.gov/GetHelp to find someone near them.

Not sure where to start? Visit the Window Shopping tool at OregonHealthCare.gov/WindowShop. After answering a few quick questions, you will find out what programs, coverage and savings are available to you and your family.

Video of OHA’s press conference is available in English and Spanish.

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July 1, 2024

Media contacts:

Jonathan Modie, OHA, 971-246-9139, PHD.Communications@oha.oregon.gov

Mindy McCartt, ODOT, 503-507-6045, Mindy.M.Mccartt@odot.oregon.gov

Celebrate safely this Fourth of July: Rethink the Drink, drive sober

SALEM, Ore. – As Oregonians gear up to celebrate the busy months of summer – from Fourth of July and barbecues to weddings and river outings – the Oregon Health Authority's (OHA) Excessive Alcohol Use Prevention Program and the Oregon Department of Transportation’s (ODOT) Impaired Driving Program are partnering to remind everyone about the importance of driving sober and drinking less.

More than 2,000 people in Oregon die from alcohol-related causes every year. During summer months, the state sees liquor sales increase, which means there is more alcohol in communities and people may be drinking more.

“Excessive alcohol use can sneak up on us during many occasions,” says Tom Jeanne, M.D., M.P.H., deputy state health officer and epidemiologist at OHA. “Whether you are at home or out at bars, events, holidays or special occasions, summer is a time when it can feel like many of our favorite activities are also occasions where drinking is encouraged. But the harms from too much drinking can increase during this season as well.”

Jeanne adds that the immediate harms include motor vehicle crashes, boating injuries, drownings and heat deaths. “On top of these, alcohol contributes to cancer, heart disease, poor mental health, and many other health harms all year long,” he says.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 31% of all drownings are alcohol related. Heat and alcohol can also be a dangerous mix.  About 11% of summer heat deaths in Oregon are alcohol related. But these deaths can be prevented. OHA’s Rethink the Drink campaign encourages people to have new conversations about alcohol. Rethink the Drink is partnering with ODOT to urge communities to come together to prevent harms and make our communities safer.

Everyone has the power to change how we show up for the people and places that are beloved in Oregon. That starts with people driving sober and doing what they can to reduce excessive drinking.

Tips for a safe Fourth of July and summer season:

• Plan ahead: Arrange for a designated driver and use public transportation or ride-sharing services.
• Host responsibly: Offer non-alcoholic beverages and monitor guests' alcohol consumption.
• Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water and eat food while you’re drinking.
• Drink less: Consider swapping every other drink with water or a non-alcoholic beverage, or watering down a drink with more ice or low-sugar mixer.
• Make a plan: Decide your alcohol limit for the week if you want to reduce your drinking. Think about what triggers you to drink too much and create a plan to handle urges.
• Count: Track your drinking using a mobile app or other tools. Find resources at rethinkthedrink.com/resources
• Have conversations: Take time to pause, learn about the harms caused by excessive drinking, and talk with your loved ones about the way alcohol is prevalent in our lives and communities. Join the conversation at rethinkthedrink.com

Note: If you or someone you care about is suffering from alcohol dependence or an alcohol use disorder, free confidential resources and support are available online or by calling or 1-800-923-435.

Rethink the Drink, an OHA initiative, aims to build healthier communities by decreasing excessive drinking and the harm it causes to individuals, families, and communities. Rethink the Drink raises awareness of the effects of excessive alcohol use across Oregon. It aims to start conversations about alcohol’s role in our own lives and communities. This initiative emphasizes health equity, noting that Black and Indigenous communities, and those with lower incomes or education, face higher rates of alcohol-related diseases due to systemic inequities. Rethink the Drink is committed to OHA’s larger goal to end health inequities in our state by 2030.

The Impaired Driving Program seeks to reduce incidents of drunk and drugged driving through education, law enforcement, and public outreach. With the increase in celebrations during holidays, the program highlights the importance of planning for safe transportation to ensure everyone gets home safely.

Resource Links:

• OHA’s Rethink the Drink tools and resources
• ODOT’s Transportation Safety Impaired Driving Program
• Summer Safety Driving Tips

PORTLAND, Ore. — Oregon Health Authority (OHA) officials and a representative from the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) Services will hold a virtual media briefing at 11 a.m. today – Monday, July 1 – to share details on a new benefit called “OHP Bridge.”

Speakers include:

• Sejal Hathi, M.D., Oregon Health Authority director
• Daniel Tsai, deputy administrator director of Medicaid and CHIP services, CMS
• Oregon Sen. Elizabeth Steiner, M.D.
• Gil Muñoz, chief executive officer, Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Center

The new benefits will be administered through Oregon Health Plan (OHP), and will cover adults with higher than previously allowed incomes. OHP Bridge will “bridge” the coverage gap and provide free health coverage for adults in Oregon who have gone without health coverage at higher rates - more than any other income group in the state. 

OHP Bridge is free. There are no monthly premiums, no cost to see a doctor and no copays or deductibles for covered services. OHP Bridge will eventually cover an estimated 100,000 people. 

Interested reporters can join via Zoom here. A livestream for the public also is available via YouTube at this link.

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