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Legislative ActionOCBH partners closely with its lobbying team to craft, advocate for, and monitor legislation that supports our members’ interests at the state and federal levels. This work amplifies the voice of providers in substance use disorder care and mental health prevention, treatment, and recovery, ensuring their perspectives shape the legislative landscape.
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2025 Legislative Achievements
The 2025 session had its highs and lows, despite initial indications that there would be large investment from legislature, revenue forecasts came down. Even with reduced discretionary funding available, OCBH was able to achieve most of its policy goals.
HB 2024OCBH crafted this bill in partnership with AOCMHP and AFSCME. The result was $5M for recruitment and retention and approximately $1.5M for the United We Heal apprenticeship program. It was also amended to include some of the safety recommendations that were identified by the Joint Task Force On Improving the Safety of Behavioral Health Workers.
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HB 2005Anticipated changes to Civil Commitment was something OCBH monitored closely. On the last day of session HB 2005 passed, lowering the bar for civil commitment by expanding what judges can consider when determining if an individual is a harm to themselves or others.
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HB 2015OCBH worked in partnership with NAMI to provide input in the crafting of HB 2015 which will identify barriers to opening and operating mental health residential facilities. With funding for capacity expansion available, OHA shall look at alternatives to staffing requirements, assess other methodologies for rate reimbursement, and determine whether residential behavioral health services can be provided through options other than HCBS.
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HB 2059This bill appropriated $65M for capacity expansion. Due to the nature of the session, mental health residential expansion will be prioritized using the RFI the Governor’s Office completed in 2024.
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Meet Our Lobbying Team
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Cassie Bruske
Lobbyist / Account Manager |
Cassie has been an advocate in Oregon's capitol for a decade. She works closely with Salem's budget leadership and policymakers to make the connections necessary for change.
Prior to her career in state-level government affairs, she served as Congressman Kurt Schrader’s Campaign Manager and as a Deputy Finance Director for Governor Kitzhaber. In both roles she collaborated with a regionally diverse network of Oregon’s diverging constituencies, resulting in their successful reelections. |
