Three Oregon district attorneys called on state leaders to take action to address mental health treatment capacity and the operation of the Oregon State Hospital.
Here are four things to know:
- Washington County District Attorney Kevin Barton, Multnomah County District Attorney Nathan Vasquez and Clackamas County District Attorney John Wentworth said their offices prosecute more than 24,000 cases annually and serve approximately 1.8 million people. The prosecutors said Oregon’s mental health system has failed to provide adequate treatment and support, contributing to challenges in communities and within the criminal justice system, according to a June 15 news release from Mr. Barton’s office.
- The statement focused on the long-running Mink/Bowman case, which began in 2002. The district attorneys said a June 1, 2026, federal court order limits admissions and lengths of stay at the Oregon State Hospital and could affect the prosecution of some criminal cases. The Oregon Health Authority and Oregon State Hospital took no position on the issuance of the court order. The prosecutors urged Gov. Tina Kotek, Oregon Health Authority Director Sejal Hathi, MD, and Oregon State Hospital Interim Superintendent James Diegel to seek modifications to the court order. They also called for a plan to address recommendations from the Oregon Health Authority Behavioral Health Residential + Facility Study released in June 2024, including the addition of 486 inpatient psychiatric facility beds, and for expanded access to mental health treatment statewide.
- In a statement shared with Becker’s, a spokesperson for Ms. Kotek said the state will continue to review and follow federal court orders while working with law enforcement and the judicial system to ensure people receive appropriate behavioral healthcare and communities remain safe. The spokesperson said the state anticipates adding 1,660 licensed residential treatment beds to Oregon’s continuum of care, a more than 45% increase in capacity. Of those beds, 1,067 are already open and serving Oregon residents, with 593 scheduled to open within the next two and a half years. She said the state was the primary investor in 960 of the beds.
- The Oregon Health Authority said in a statement to Becker’s that Oregon State Hospital is a key part of the state’s behavioral health continuum and noted that a federal judge found the OHA and the hospital in contempt in June 2025 for failing to comply with an injunction requiring admissions within seven days after a person is found unable to aid in their own defense. The agency said unpredictable spikes in admission orders have made compliance difficult and that expanding community-based treatment capacity is essential to reducing pressure on the hospital and improving access to care statewide.
At the Becker's Fall Behavioral Health Summit, taking place November 4–5 in Chicago, behavioral health leaders and executives will explore strategies for expanding access to care, integrating services, addressing workforce challenges and leveraging innovation to improve outcomes across the behavioral health continuum. Apply for complimentary registration now.
