Wyden, Merkley Raise Alarm Over Loss of Mental Health Access in Eastern Oregon

Wyden, Merkley Raise Alarm Over Loss of Mental Health Access in Eastern Oregon

Senators: Trump and congressional Republicans' budget bill threatens essential mental care for nearly 800 Malheur County residents enrolled in the Oregon Health Plan

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today wrote health care providers serving Malheur County to ask how they'll ensure nearly 800 residents keep access to the mental health services they need in the wake of new coordinated care organization (CCO) coverage changes brought on by the devastating cuts by Donald Trump and congressional Republicans to Medicaid.

"We understand your organization faces unprecedented financial strain as Oregon braces for nearly $4 billion in Medicaid cuts to rural communities alone signed into law by Donald Trump as part of Republicans' Big Ugly Bill," the lawmakers wrote to Greater Oregon Behavioral Health, Inc. CEO Ann Ford and Eastern Oregon CCO CEO Sean Jessup. "As you manage through this calamity, We ask that you do everything in your power to maximize access to a wide range of providers, ease patient transitions, and ensure continuity of care."

"In Oregon, Malheur County stands to lose most of all. With more than half of its residents enrolled in the Oregon Health Plan, it has the highest share among Oregon's 36 counties," the lawmakers continued. "Among those enrolled, the vast majority (almost 80%) are children, nearly 25% have a disability, nearly 50% are Hispanic or Latino, and more than 25% speak Spanish as their primary language. We voted against these devastating cuts to protect these very residents and providers like yourselves."

The senators asked Greater Oregon Behavioral Health, Inc. (GOBHI), which distributes Medicaid dollars for mental health in eastern Oregon, to answer the following questions no later than January 9, 2026:

• How will GOHBI manage this process to limit disruption for patients and their health care providers?
• What determination did GOHBI make to ensure network adequacy and sufficient access for patients?
• What circumstances led GOHBI to make these changes to its provider network in 2026?

"We recognize your organizations are presented with an unworkable task," Wyden and Merkley wrote. "Republicans' Medicaid cuts will force health care providers throughout Oregon to do more with less. We will keep fighting to repeal these devastating cuts to health care for Malheur County and the countless other communities for which the Oregon Health Plan is a lifeline."

The entire letter is below.

Ann Ford

Greater Oregon Behavioral Health, Inc.

3729 Klindt Dr.

The Dalles, OR 97058

Sean Jessup

Eastern Oregon Coordinated Care Organization

601 SW Second Ave

Portland, OR 97204

Dear Ms. Ford & Mr. Jessup,

We write with deep concern about recent reporting that nearly 800 residents of Malheur County enrolled in the Oregon Health Plan will not be able to see the mental health providers they rely on starting next year. We understand your organization faces unprecedented financial strain as Oregon braces for nearly $4 billion in Medicaid cuts to rural communities alone signed into law by Donald Trump as part of Republicans' Big Ugly Bill. As you manage through this calamity, we ask that you do everything in your power to maximize access to a wide range of providers, ease patient transitions, and ensure continuity of care.

We know that Oregon's families and health care providers are staring down the largest cuts to health care in U.S. history. Republicans' Big Ugly Bill cuts federal funding for the U.S. health care system by over $1 trillion, raising health care costs for everyone while kicking 15 million Americans off of their health insurance. States, Medicaid managed care organizations, and health care providers will need to make impossibly hard choices. Already, the effects of these catastrophic cuts are harming rural communities like Malheur County. Hospitals are closing. Mental health counselors, nurses, doctors, and other essential health care workers are losing their jobs. Service access, especially care for new mothers and babies, is dwindling.

In Oregon, Malheur County stands to lose most of all. With more than half of its residents enrolled in the Oregon Health Plan, it has the highest share among Oregon's 36 counties. Among those enrolled, the vast majority (almost 80%) are children, nearly 25% have a disability, nearly 50% are Hispanic or Latino, and more than 25% speak Spanish as their primary language. We voted against these devastating cuts to protect these very residents and providers like yourselves.

We recognize your organizations are presented with an unworkable task. Republicans' Medicaid cuts will force health care providers throughout Oregon to do more with less. We will keep fighting to repeal these devastating cuts to health care for Malheur County and the countless other communities for which the Oregon Health Plan is a lifeline.

As you navigate this challenging landscape, we ask that you limit life-threatening disruptions for patients and their families and ensure the residents of Malheur County have ample access to a sufficient network of health care providers.We are hearing from members of the community who are deeply concerned about their ability to continue to see the doctor of their choice, and ask that you share answers to the following questions:

• According to reports, the Greater Oregon Behavioral Health, Inc. (GOHBI) is offering a transition period, permitting patients to complete a current episode of treatment after January 1, 2026 with an out-of-network provider and allowing extension requests for medically-necessary care. How will GOHBI manage this process to limit disruption for patients and their health care providers?

• • What is GOHBI's process for granting medically-necessary extensions?
  • Please describe appeals processes and other patient protections available to patients related to provider access.
• Reports suggest GOHBI's changes to the Malheur County provider network will reduce the number of available mental health and substance use disorder providers from four to just one, representing a dramatic downward shift. What determination did GOHBI make to ensure network adequacy and sufficient access for patients?
• Does GOHBI have plans to monitor patient access throughout 2026?
• What circumstances led GOHBI to make these changes to its provider network in 2026?
• Were anticipated cuts to the Oregon Health Plan a factor? Thank you.

You represent the best of our nation's health care system, and we know you seek to do right by the patients with mental health and substance use disorders who you tirelessly serve. Please provide the requested information to Andrew Cutler at [email protected] no later than January 9th, 2026. Thank you for providing a prompt response to this inquiry.

Sincerely,