Judge rules hospitals lawsuit against Oregon Health Authority regarding psychiatric beds can continue [Video]

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — A lawsuit filed against the Oregon Health Authority on behalf of the state’s four biggest health systems will be allowed to continue thanks to a court ruling.

The lawsuit alleges OHA’s lack of long-term behavioral health facilities has resulted in the hospitals, which are only equipped for short-term care, being overburdened with patients that they can’t treat in a sustainable manner.

“Community hospitals are not equipped, staffed or designed to provide long-term mental health care,” said Alicia Beymer, Chief Administrative Officer, PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center at RiverBend. “Despite the previous dismissal of our case, we felt duty-bound to appeal on behalf of the many vulnerable patients who are being denied appropriate care.”

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Four hospital organizations that together operate more than half of the state’s psychiatric beds are represented in the lawsuit: Legacy Health, PeaceHealth, Providence Health and Services, and St. Charles Health System.

The lawsuit was originally filed in September 2022…