Oregon is making moves to tackle its mental health and addiction care crisis with a new piece of legislation that could pump $90 million into the state's treatment capacity. House Bill 2059 was presented before the House Committee on Behavioral Health and Health Care as part of Governor Tina Kotek's ambitious 2025 Behavioral Health Initiative. The bill seeks to address a pressing shortage in treatment beds across the state by funding the expansion of facilities able to provide crucial support for acute mental health and addiction illnesses.

Highlighting the state's critical need, Kotek said, "Oregon does not have enough treatment beds for people struggling with an acute mental health or addiction illness," according to a recent announcement. She emphasized the state's responsibility to enhance access to care through the growth of treatment bed numbers. The proposed bill aligns with recent study findings, directing the Oregon Health Authority to target resources towards projects that fulfill specific criteria for elevating the state’s treatment capacity.

These criteria focus on the efficient allocation of state funds, considering bed-to-cost ratios, the presence of a service provider, addressing regional needs, ensuring equitable development across Oregon, and catering to the specialized requirements of the aid and assist and civil commitment populations. A detailed list of potential projects to receive funding through HB 2059 is still in development.

The Governor’s Recommended Budget also encompasses a broader strategy beyond physical capacity. With an additional recommendation of $53.6 million, the focus extends to bolstering the workforce through scholarships, tuition assistance, peer support, loan repayment, workforce development, and slashing licensing wait times. Together, these investments aim to build a stronger foundation for addressing Oregon's behavioral health challenges head-on.