Bend, OR — In her first year as director of the Oregon Health Authority (OHA), Dr. Sejal Hathi is pushing forward with a comprehensive agenda to improve health care access, reduce bureaucratic hurdles, and address the needs of vulnerable communities across the state. This week, Hathi released a report outlining 16 key goals developed after listening to community leaders during a statewide tour.
Hathi, who began her role at OHA in January, spent her first six months visiting more than a dozen cities in Oregon, including Astoria, Bend, Medford, and Portland. During these visits, she met with health care leaders, local officials, and community members to gain insight into the pressing issues affecting their regions. The feedback from these meetings has shaped a set of initiatives aimed at improving health outcomes for Oregonians, especially those in rural and underserved areas.
Among the goals outlined in the report, several areas of concern stood out across the state. One of the most urgent issues raised by community leaders was the closure of rural hospitals and clinics, particularly in eastern and southern Oregon.
In rural Baker City, for example, the closure of the maternity ward at Saint Alphonsus Medical Center has left expectant parents with limited options, forcing them to drive over 40 miles to access care. This issue reflects a broader trend in rural areas, where hospitals and clinics are increasingly struggling to remain open due to financial constraints and a lack of resources. In response, Hathi’s team is researching state and federal policies to find ways to support these vital health care facilities and prevent further closures.
Another major priority identified by community leaders is the need for increased testing of children for lead exposure. In southern Oregon, concerns were raised about the rising number of children with elevated blood lead levels, a situation that disproportionately affects low-income families. In response, the Oregon Health Authority is working on a new rule to ensure that health care providers are reimbursed for conducting lead testing, especially for Medicaid recipients. The OHA is also setting a goal to increase childhood blood lead screenings among Medicaid-enrolled children.
Hathi has also focused on reducing the bureaucratic burden faced by mental health and addiction treatment providers. Local health leaders have repeatedly pointed out the complex and time-consuming administrative processes that slow down care delivery for those in need of mental health and substance use disorder treatment. As part of her reform efforts, Hathi is looking into ways to streamline these processes and provide more direct support to providers working on the front lines of Oregon’s mental health crisis.
In the Willamette Valley, public health agencies have voiced concerns over the need for more funding to test for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV. In response, the OHA is exploring ways to increase funding for STI testing, including seeking federal resources to support local public health agencies in this critical work.
As part of the broader push to improve health care access, Hathi is focusing on expanding Medicaid coverage to include more services for vulnerable populations. One of the key initiatives is making it easier for doulas to be reimbursed through Medicaid. Doulas provide invaluable non-medical support to pregnant women, particularly those in underserved communities. By expanding access to doula services through Medicaid, the OHA aims to improve maternal health outcomes, especially among low-income and minority populations.
Additionally, Hathi’s report highlights efforts to provide better guidance for health care providers who care for individuals experiencing homelessness. In 2023, the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) introduced a new billing code for outpatient services provided to homeless individuals. The OHA is working to ensure that providers are fully aware of this new billing code and can use it to more effectively care for people living on the streets.
Community health workers, who play a vital role in helping underserved populations navigate the health care system, are another focus of Hathi’s agenda. The OHA is working on strategies to ensure that these workers, who often have deep ties to the communities they serve, are properly reimbursed for their services through Medicaid. These workers help patients access programs, resources, and services that are essential for improving health outcomes, and their work is especially critical for individuals with complex health needs.
Dr. Hathi acknowledged that many of the issues facing Oregon’s health care system are complex and longstanding, but she remains optimistic about the progress that can be made through collaboration and innovation. “Many of these challenges are longstanding and complex, but that doesn’t mean we can’t make meaningful, if incremental, progress,” Hathi said in a statement. “The feedback we received from these communities is driving tangible steps forward at OHA to remove barriers and improve outcomes.”
As she enters her second year in office, Hathi remains committed to addressing these challenges and creating a more equitable, accessible health care system for all Oregonians. With a focus on rural health care, child lead testing, mental health services, and expanded Medicaid coverage, her efforts are poised to reshape how health care is delivered in Oregon, particularly for the state’s most vulnerable populations.
While the road ahead is long and the issues are multifaceted, Hathi’s leadership and the goals laid out in the report represent a significant step forward in tackling some of Oregon’s most pressing health care challenges. By focusing on local needs and providing targeted solutions, the Oregon Health Authority aims to build a healthier, more equitable future for the state’s residents.
