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December 10, 2024
Media contact: Robb Cowie, Oregon Health Authority, robb.cowie@oha.oregon.gov
New Report: State Health Officials Pursue Locally Requested Policy, Regulatory and Administrative Changes After Director Hathi’s Statewide Listening Tour
SALEM, Ore. — Oregon Health Authority leadership is turning conversations into action. Following a statewide listening tour where OHA Director Sejal Hathi, M.D., MBA engaged representatives from 35 counties and dozens of community leaders, the agency is rolling out a series of policy, regulatory, and administrative changes. These changes seek to boost transparency, accountability, and support for communities. These actions are summarized in a new report published today.
During her first six months as OHA director, Dr. Hathi traveled to more than a dozen communities across Oregon — including Astoria, Bend, the Dalles, Eugene, Hood River, Grants Pass, Klamath Falls, Lebanon, Medford, Pendleton, Portland, Redmond and Salem. In 48 total meetings, she and other OHA leaders heard from local public health and mental health officials, leaders from coordinated care organizations (CCOs), provider organizations, Tribal partners, and community-based organizations (including non-profits that had received grants as part of Measure 110-funded Behavioral Health Resource Networks).
Across these sessions, participants highlighted more than 60 challenges, from critical health care workforce shortages to gaps in youth mental health services and the need for sustained public health protections.
“Many of these challenges are long-standing and complex, but that doesn’t mean we can’t make meaningful, if incremental, progress,” said Dr. Hathi. “The feedback we received from these communities is driving tangible steps forward at OHA to remove barriers and improve outcomes — and I’m grateful to both staff and our partners for helping us better serve all Oregonians.”
Dr. Hathi directed leaders within OHA to review the concerns local partners raised and develop action plans to address them. The new report describes 16 separate efforts that state officials are pursuing to respond to the challenges they heard, including:
- Reducing administrative burdens on mental health and substance use programs.
- Supporting traditional health workers to bill Medicaid for services.
- Preventing health care facility closures in rural communities.
- Reducing lead exposure among children.
The report also includes a visual progress tracker for each staff-led action, representing how close the issue is to resolution.
Dr. Hathi emphasized OHA’s commitment to continued collaboration: “We’ll keep showing up, listening, and working side by side with our partners to tackle these challenges.”
OHA leaders plan to hold regular follow-up visits across Oregon to report on progress and address emerging concerns, ensuring communities remain at the heart of OHA’s mission.
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