MALHEUR COUNTY, Ore. — Nearly 800 mental health patients in Malheur County will lose access to their counselors starting Jan. 1 under a new policy requiring Medicaid recipients to see only contracted providers.

On Nov. 12, Greater Oregon Behavioral Health Inc. (GOHBI), who distributes Medicaid dollars for mental health in eastern Oregon, sent a letter to the four mental health providers in Malheur County. The four providers include Altruistic Recovery, Insight Counseling and Therapy, Four Rivers Recovery, and Lifeways Recovery Center.

Malheur County has more than 50% of its residents on Medicaid — the highest rate in Oregon. Approximately 8,000 people in the county receive Medicaid benefits.

"Beginning January 1, 2026, EOCCO will require that new routine Medicaid outpatient mental hea

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