[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6322327,"mediaKeyId","2348103-e788d328f2b1e50e766cab64bc745cf6","parentId",2348103,"title","County leaders urge lawmakers to close funding gap for community behavioral health services","audioSeconds",290,"startMs",3263000,"endMs",3553000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2348103-e788d328f2b1e50e766cab64bc745cf6&start=3263&end=3553","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2348103-e788d328f2b1e50e766cab64bc745cf6/thumbnail_3263000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6322327/Oregon/County-leaders-urge-lawmakers-to-close-funding-gap-for-community-behavioral-health-services","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6322327-6a82b6a9799b7f5505e1d1b4d174274d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770857278&Signature=eb3G4oHKOEEKH3wDbXrX5p0FGDc56TwM6mh18WQcqZbCbuAm2F3EFxfDUZYzyTEXwzjxSFaSwJaER-dCEpUQS7rZMd-F2zmeVdgjoxn3aLig3h47h23aJV0xixNZtnElN~YDkbJWM1fb0fCO6gPB4PH2xtCvQTDWdHBevzBzg5xGoVVUUdyWp9RSJc8XYjZQNkfYDGd9tNZ1pCPBGS~ZS1PL67nFN0seZGdpbCAjlNevxq0-TBec9taWPud8kL8W~qWXzAk6sGZG7VWz7qo47JZOcKvPxC6pmzl6iHkD6niyNGbGvUr~Yw-ft-YzkpkZ~52omurAytzI-WavRsvh6A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Oregon State Legislature","date","2025-02-19T00:00:00Z","article","Phil Brady, Wasco County commissioner and co-chair of the Association of Oregon Counties Health and Human Services steering committee, told the subcommittee county governments support community behavioral health funding in HB 5025 and outlined specific dollar needs to meet mandated court-ordered and crisis services.

\"County boards of commissioners are the local mental health authority,\" Brady said, asking the committee to fund county responsibilities that are not Medicaid-eligible and to close a funding gap created by rising caseloads and a federal court order shortening stays at the state hospital. He called for $64,800,000 to narrow the funding gap for court-ordered and crisis services; $16,500,000 to maintain investments in jail-diversion services and workforce initiatives; $20,000,000 to support career ladders and retention through tuition assistance and housing stipends; and $20,000,000 to increase wages to retain workers providing high-acuity public care.

Commissioner Nafissa Fai and other county representatives reiterated that counties have statutory duties as local public health authorities and stressed prevention and upstream investments as part of a three-legged health strategy (CCOs, early childhood and public health). Brady and other witnesses said without additional county funding, services such as crisis response, aid-and-assist, community restoration and civil-commitment investigations face growing strain from chronic vacancies and rising demand.

Speakers asked the subcommittee to support local behavioral-health safety-net funding to keep individuals in community care and reduce avoidable state hospital and jail encounters. The public hearing on HB 5025 recorded these requests; the subcommittee did not take votes on these appropriations during the session.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Joint Committee On Ways and Means Subcommittee On Human Services 02/19/2025","oneSentenceSummary","County commissioners and board representatives told the subcommittee that court-ordered and crisis services, diversion programs and workforce investments need additional funding beyond the governor's recommendation to meet statutorily mandated duties and reduce state hospital stays and jail encounters.","taxTitle"," Human Services, Joint, Committees, Legislative, Oregon","taxId",78720,"location","Oregon","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6322329,"Psilocybin service providers warn $3.5M shortfall could force higher fees, reduce rural access",2430,492000,2922000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2348103-e788d328f2b1e50e766cab64bc745cf6&start=492&end=2922","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2348103-e788d328f2b1e50e766cab64bc745cf6/thumbnail_492000.jpg","/articles/6322329/Oregon/Psilocybin-service-providers-warn-35M-shortfall-could-force-higher-fees-reduce-rural-access","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6322329-8798a2fb3eea2a41c82d23a2dbe62c1e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770857278&Signature=VLUSJFmB-v1Z8qXfPDRWBCtM8PerJZ3ifvyHJBOOX~CIGcNo~nQdgODB5jhtLklkAopV4UK6fJ0gDWNzJGJ1WEhvpxmosLrDEvEcoO0PWZXOBxbQ6LI-VB0Gjc1N3h1ghcF~RSo~3Muxt69iEMZ88mh4bGJbY5WC7x9azyQcKJ1IXLcfrnIoKZDEH88O-l4yl6S8Ysll3y4aXq4SC7Rfyee4cLCkLGKRwmFgZ1qTIONejz6ZKao5T0FvoTPbVoPT8Drg-KVDNv9Uhlfke4HBuVJCSYkfyj2qMSdEp-9mlFt0ss6ChaVUnUUdBVYrOA4ilqdIEUKaE0ZLdDfM8ekDEg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Heidi Pendergast, Oregon director of the Healing Advocacy Fund, and psilocybin service-center owners told the subcommittee that Oregon's regulated psilocybin program — established by Measure 109 and administered by the Oregon Health Authority — faces a $3,500,000 shortfall in the current budget cycle.

\"This program, established under measure 109, has provided life changing hope and healing to over 9,000 clients in just the past year and a half,\" Pendergast said, and she asked legislators to \"honor the will of the voters by supporting the $3,500,000 needed to sustain the program.\"

Licensed facilitators and service-center operators described client outcomes and business constraints. Heidi Venture, a licensed facilitator and co-owner of Vital Reset Psilocybin Service Center in Hood River, said her rural center has served about 80 clients and warned that doubling the current $10,000 annual licensing fee would endanger marginal operators and rural access. \"If the 30 or so service centers have to pay $20,000 for licensing, some or many will certainly choose to stop operating or merge,\" Venture said.

Mike Averell, owner of PNW Integrative Center in Portland, emphasized clinical demand and said many clients seek psilocybin therapy for treatment-resistant depression, PTSD, addiction and chronic pain. He asked the subcommittee to fund the $3.5 million gap to maintain equitable access.

Witnesses referenced House Bill 2387, described as a program improvement bill, as a legislative path to strengthen client safety and integration of psilocybin services into existing health systems. Testimony did not request a specific line-item amendment to HB 5025 during the hearing; witnesses asked appropriators to cover the OPS shortfall so licensing fees would not have to double.

The subcommittee closed public testimony on HB 5025 after hearing these requests; any funding changes will be determined in subsequent budget negotiations.","Providers, facilitators and service-center owners urged lawmakers to cover a reported $3.5 million shortfall in the Oregon Psilocybin Services budget to avoid doubling licensing fees and shrinking access, especially in rural areas.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6322334,"Local health officials press for $25 million boost to public health modernization in OHA budget",2936,856000,3792000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2348103-e788d328f2b1e50e766cab64bc745cf6&start=856&end=3792","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2348103-e788d328f2b1e50e766cab64bc745cf6/thumbnail_856000.jpg","/articles/6322334/Oregon/Local-health-officials-press-for-25-million-boost-to-public-health-modernization-in-OHA-budget","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6322334-c21d90e1f59a8eea4c05f14f8d8c8262/orig.mp4?Expires=1770857278&Signature=DiWHR9QjBBDxgRYswLp4M3Pk2dSFfPu0DsJpdTurfxjWV8RLdr6QMv~tDOpT30XdgOPBR9CiUkVEQKrk4xLwMnXarffiqCyuaibg6Kl-PCeab4ZKBK~wm6SdV50kSyCqze9aeLMwtSzedTSbPAn3AAAACpZEUob9ZzChQK2c95vJNRm6nvHQmSBCCTqfw5lPW5w2xZFL5WF~2lWcGb1Y45nm58KdJccyV3W77ctUVhep3hcnAYk4szjCPggys5oZD1xnqz3JNAYvNv3Fh~jRrnMRWFxIeD~F5o-2KOezS7jrK6fEDP5I2tw0mrqRPAu7Uk4zBP5Ee7YsGM3~S7p5kQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Sarah Lochner, executive director of the Oregon Coalition of Local Health Officials, asked the subcommittee to increase public health modernization funding by \"$25,000,000 or more\" to strengthen county public health capacity.

\"Public health is a bridal, yet overlooked component of solving the many crises we face in Oregon,\" Lochner said. She told the committee that increased funding would support testing, treatment and outreach for communicable diseases and other public health functions.

Local health directors from Multnomah, Washington and Marion counties described recent work and threats that, they said, require more capacity. Andrea Hamburg, interim public health director for Multnomah County, said past investments funded heat-mapping, installations of heat pumps and air conditioners in vulnerable mobile homes and harm-reduction outreach that saved a life via naloxone. Washington County's Dr. Marie Bowman Davis recounted a tuberculosis investigation that identified nearly 150 contacts across counties and states and required coordinated nursing, epidemiology and lab work.

Marion County deputy director Katrina Griffith and other local leaders highlighted sharp increases in syphilis and congenital syphilis. \"Our rates of syphilis have surged by 22 percent in just one year, rising to 78.5 cases per 100,000 residents in 2024,\" Griffith said, adding that Marion County's congenital syphilis rate rose to 2.6 cases per 1,000 live births in 2024 from 1.5 previously. Speakers argued prevention dollars are cheaper than treating severe outcomes.

Several community-based organizations and CBO partners, including Medical Teams International, East Oregon Center for Independent Living, Imagine Black Futures and Oregon Spinal Cord Injury Connection, described services funded through public health modernization grants and asked the subcommittee to support the $25 million increase rather than the $2 million in the governor's recommendation. Veronica Irvin of the public health advisory board described the funding formula and said prior increases raised every county floor to $400,000 and supported 137 community organizations.

Witnesses emphasized that investments would improve outbreak response, vaccine access, food safety inspection and preparedness for natural disasters. County leaders urged that public health and early childhood investments are prevention legs of Oregon's health strategy and can reduce longer-term Medicaid and health care costs.

The subcommittee received these public comments during the HB 5025 hearing; no vote was taken on increasing POP 410 funding during the session.","A coalition of local public health directors, county commissioners and community-based organizations asked the subcommittee to add at least $25 million to Oregon Health Authority public health modernization funding, citing rising infectious disease rates, disaster preparedness needs and workforce shortages.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6322338,"Unions urge full funding for Oregon State Hospital staffing in OHA budget hearing",417,98000,515000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2348103-e788d328f2b1e50e766cab64bc745cf6&start=98&end=515","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2348103-e788d328f2b1e50e766cab64bc745cf6/thumbnail_98000.jpg","/articles/6322338/Oregon/Unions-urge-full-funding-for-Oregon-State-Hospital-staffing-in-OHA-budget-hearing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6322338-ae69927e828abbb290bdb688fed7a878/orig.mp4?Expires=1770857278&Signature=oZe6~c5UAUXIGPxeDrfFhcR4YNGXjIz-1Le2S7ZxdwPf26Vmu-uOKu4sHGuUke6K-kKGMzmHnVwihyJ6Igj8Gp0T93Rjz9GEEBFK6qrooQ--HzvRsb21L81as7DAGdKB8~qZCiMfzmLcXRmfIEx07yu7Idi5bej~lR1hEz8wT8b0FvYyqlRng-Hl9l14mtNZWJ1wOSKWdBrot8Ko44O5yUgMBkGX23hSsXgqd1uJueDVeqVhD4k0qsGyalbR3vSnHtSR0VDSK0B3Hnl9hjWOObvnEMCJZEx3Ck2f0l3ggOx-OT7Fu-K4cXTja4Vd8fidO46aJwgvhN~kCYyA0ln4wA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Anthony Castaneda, speaking for SEIU 503, told the joint Ways and Means Subcommittee on Human Services that the union supports the governor's recommended budget for the Oregon State Hospital to maintain staff levels and add positions to ensure patient care and safety.

\"My name is Anthony Castaneda and I'm here today testifying on behalf of SEIU 503 to ensure that the Oregon State Hospital is adequately funded and staffed to provide high quality patient care,\" Castaneda said. He told the committee SEIU represents staff across OSH's three campuses in Pendleton, Junction City and Salem and advocated keeping current staffing and hiring additional personnel such as mental health technicians and security upgrades.

Randy Davis, a longtime Oregon State Hospital employee who trains staff on verbal de-escalation and handling psychiatric emergencies, said recent staffing increases have helped reduce mandatory overtime and allowed better patient care. \"We've come a long way in the state hospital,\" Davis said. \"Recently, you've included a number of more staff for us, which has helped dramatically. It's reduced the number of mandatory overtimes and reduced the number of overtimes at the hospital and allowed us to provide better care for our patients.\"

David Lynch, a registered nurse at OSH and president of the nurses' union, described chronic understaffing, gaps in safety protocols and insufficient post-incident support for staff. He urged the committee to approve requests in the Oregon Health Authority budget that would add 136 mental health therapy technician positions, expand forensic evaluation services, add electronic vital-sign monitoring and increase security screening. \"We are exposed to chronic under staffing, alarming gaps in safety protocols, inadequate training, and insufficient support after incidents, and we demand change,\" Lynch said.

Speakers did not request a specific amendment to HB 5025 during the hearing; their testimony was a formal public record urging the subcommittee to approve the governor's recommended investments for OSH.

The hearing record shows union witnesses and hospital staff focused on staffing levels, safety improvements and funding for positions and equipment. No formal motions or votes were taken during the public testimony period; the subcommittee later closed the public hearing on HB 5025.

The subcommittee chair closed public testimony and moved to administrative business. No legislative action on the hospital funding was recorded in this hearing.

","Union representatives and hospital staff told the joint Ways and Means subcommittee that the governor's recommended funding for the Oregon State Hospital is needed to reduce overtime, add mental health technician positions and improve safety at the state's forensic hospitals.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

County leaders urge lawmakers to close funding gap for community behavioral health services

Psilocybin service providers warn $3.5M shortfall could force higher fees, reduce rural access

Local health officials press for $25 million boost to public health modernization in OHA budget

Unions urge full funding for Oregon State Hospital staffing in OHA budget hearing