April 19, 2021 | Mental Health Policy Roundtable: Legislative Solutions 2021

Oregon voters are demanding new investment and a revamped approach to mental health care and addiction treatment. Now, millions in new funding is available through federal stimulus, opioid settlements and other sources that may be used by lawmakers to recast Oregon’s troubled mental health system. Policymakers will take the stage, discussing 2021 legislative opportunities, including the top mental and behavioral health bills in play.

Moderator:

Bruce Goldberg, MD, Professor, OHSU-PSU School of Public Health, Former Director, Oregon Health Authority

Dr. Goldberg is a Professor at the OHSU-PSU School of Public Health and a nationally recognized consultant on health policy and the organization and delivery of health services. He served two Oregon Governors, as the Director of the Oregon Office for Health Policy, Director of the Oregon Department of Human Services, and then as the founding Director of the Oregon Health Authority. In that role, Dr. Goldberg led Oregon’s nationally recognized health reforms transforming Oregon’s Medicaid system to one based on a model of coordinated care. His other experiences span time as an administrator of large complex organizations, a practicing clinician, a teacher/academician, a county health officer, medical director for a Medicaid managed care organization, and Clinical Director for the U.S. Public Health Services in Zuni, New Mexico.

Contact Dr. Goldberg at goldberg@ohsu.edu.

Speakers:

Sen. Kate Lieber (D), District 14 – Beaverton

Sen. Lieber’s district includes Beaverton, Aloha, and portions of Washington and Multnomah Counties. She is a mother of two, a breast cancer survivor, a community college instructor, and an attorney. Sen. Lieber ran for office with the goal of re-envisioning social support and services in Oregon. She is deeply invested in improving our communities and as a State senator, understands that having power means using it wisely and justly. Serving on the Senate Committees on Human Services, Mental Health & Recovery, and Labor and Business gives her the ability to champion policies that benefit workers and the most vulnerable Oregonians, and her role on the Joint Ways and Means Committee helps her ensure that Oregon’s budget matches its values. As Assistant Majority Leader, Sen. Lieber is a strong voice within the Democratic Caucus for advancing a progressive policy agenda.

Contact Sen. Lieber at sen.katelieber@oregonlegislature.gov.

Rep. Rob Nosse (D), District 42 – Portland

Rep. Nosse lives in SE Portland with his husband Jim. He has worked his entire life to drive social change for students and working families. For almost twenty years, he has stood up for working people as a union representative and helped raise the bar for middle class families. Currently, he works at the Oregon Nurses Association, bringing nurses together with a strong, united voice to advocate for themselves and their patients. As Vice Chair of the House Health Care Committee, Rep. Nosse cares deeply about expanding access to health care services and making them more affordable. Short of universal coverage, his number one legislative priority is lowering the cost of prescription drugs. Rep. Nosse has served as a board member of Basic Rights Oregon Equality PAC focused on electing pro-LGBTQ candidates to all levels of office, and he has worked tirelessly to bring marriage equality to our state. As a union representative for Oregon nurses, he helps to ensure that contracts include provisions for same sex couples to receive all the benefits available to straight married couples.

Contact Rep. Nosse at rep.robnosse@oregonlegislature.gov.

Rep. Lisa Reynolds (D), District 36 – Portland West

Rep. Reynolds is a pediatrician at The Children’s Clinic in southwest Portland. She brings two decades of experience serving children and their families to the Oregon Legislature, and her health care expertise informs decisions on policies and services that comprise a significant portion of the state budget. Rep. Reynolds hopes to expand access to behavioral health services, make Oregon the best place for children to grow up, and reduce gun violence. She currently serves as Vice-Chair of the House Early Childhood Committee and is a member of the House Behavioral Health and Water Committees.

Contact Rep. Reynolds at rep.lisareynolds@oregonlegislature.gov.

Event Slideshow:

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Mental Health Series Sponsors:

Annual Sponsors:

To share your ideas or if you are interested in sponsoring future events, please contact Robin Moody at robin@oregonhealthforum.org.