What We've Accomplished
Funding Achievements
- Successfully passed HB 4004, allocating $132.2 million in retention and recruitment funds exclusively for Behavioral Health (BH) providers.
- Utilized a non-competitive grant allocation method based on existing employment costs.
- Enforced a timeline mandating funds disbursement by May 31st, 2022.
- Ensured that all providers received their grants by the specified deadline, enabling significant recruitment and retention incentives.
- Designated 25% of grants for other workforce stabilization initiatives.
- Implemented the most substantial rate increase ever seen in the sector, at 30%.
- This rate increase cost the state $61 million from the General Fund.
- Leveraged an additional $169 million in federal funds, resulting in a total investment of $230 million, per OHA's estimates.
- A cumulative allocation of $362.2 million in additional resources for behavioral health providers.
Other Achievements
- Successfully passed legislation to safeguard the interests of organizations operating sobering centers.
- Devoted attention to the matter of Institutions for Mental Diseases (IMD).
OCBH PAC
The Oregon Council for Behavioral Health Policy Action Committee (OCBH PAC) is the Political Action Committee (PAC) for OCBH. The PAC helps elect lawmakers who support improving Oregon’s behavioral health system. Lawmakers have the power to directly impact rules and regulations that break down barriers to care, allocate state investments, and increase state Medicaid rates.
