The Oregon Health Authority published a recent report with a fiscal estimate for what it would cost annually to close the state's gap for substance use disorder services: $6.85 billion.
Zoom in: That's considerably higher than the roughly $1 billion the state spent on drug and alcohol treatment services last year.
More than half the new estimated costs would go toward the salaries, benefits and training of much-needed workers.
The intrigue: Public Consulting Group, which conducted the study, suggests officials "generate new revenue sources to address unmet need" by tapping into — or eliminating — the kicker tax rebate.
