Health
Latest Stories

Oregon might cap how many patients can be assigned to a single hospital nurse or nursing assistant
If it passes, the compromise bill could radically overhaul Oregon’s nurse staffing law and make it among the first in the nation to create nurse-to-patient ratios .

Oregon’s emerging psilocybin mushroom market braces for dose of financial reality
The complicated financial landscape around psilocybin means none of the early businesses are guaranteed to survive the next few years as Oregon tries to navigate the uncharted landscape of allowing therapeutic use of a drug that is still illegal federally.

Oregon’s first psilocybin facilitators are eager to deliver therapy
Hundreds of psilocybin facilitators from around the state have now graduated or are near the end of their programs.

Bill to create a commission overseeing health care in Oregon jails has died
House Bill 3391 died in the House Judiciary Committee after failing to get scheduled for a work session by Friday’s deadline.
Birthing services set to end at Legacy Mount Hood Medical Center in Gresham
Legacy Mount Hood Medical Center will not be delivering babies as of midnight on March 17, though the hospital is still waiting for approval to formally stop providing these services.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/opb/JBIAUWFKMJAI7A6RVNZ2C45WFY.jpg)
In rural Oregon, there’s a higher need for mental health care, but few options
Outside of Oregon's urban areas, a mental health crisis can mean a long drive or an ambulance ride over the mountains to get the right level of care.

Oregon doesn’t have enough treatment or housing for people with mental illness
Oregon's system for people with profound mental illness is broken. We examine two major problems and two promising strategies.

Illegal substances are part of addiction problem in Oregon, but alcohol is biggest killer
Alcohol is the third leading cause of preventable death in Oregon. A tax increase could help reduce consumption.

Oregon kids in crisis are not getting the help they need
There are not enough beds - or therapists - in the state for children with the most intense needs.

Oregon’s many mental health crises
OPB talked to experts throughout the state to learn about several of the most pressing elements of the crisis — and about promising strategies to address the many problems.