Appeals Court Upholds Oregon Hospitals’ Lawsuit Against State Over Lack Of Access To Mental Health Placements

Four Oregon health systems are suing the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) over lack of state psychiatric placements and services for people experiencing severe mental illness (SMI). The health systems, Legacy Health, PeaceHealth, and Providence Health & Services, filed the complaint in September 2022. St. Charles Health System joined the complaint in December 2022. They alleged that the OHA has failed to provide adequate access to care for people with SMI, and that the state had violated the rights of consumers to receive care in the least restrictive, appropriate setting.

The complaint was initially dismissed by the United States District Court . . .