SALEM, OR — Marion County sent a formal letter on June 29 to Oregon Health Authority (OHA) Director Dr. Sejal Hathi urging the state agency to reverse a series of recent administrative rule changes that endanger staff, patients, and the community, while increasing costs and undermining the effectiveness of mental health and residential care programs.
“OHA is making sweeping rule changes in a matter of weeks with little to no input from the people directly impacted,” said Commissioner Danielle Bethell. “These rules will deeply affect the safety of staff working in difficult conditions and the residents they’re trying to help. I urge providers, clients, other counties, and cities to get informed on these rule changes and weigh in.”
Among the most alarming changes are a new rule that requires county health staff to stand by and wait until a physical assault has already occurred before they can remove a dangerous resident from a facility. Under OAR 309-035-0170, staff cannot act on an emergency safety threat unless a resident has already caused “serious physical harm” to another resident or staff member. Even then, the rule offers no protection if a visitor or neighbor is the victim…