Oregon

patient lies in bed next to a female medical worker who is examining a reading on a medical device.

FERNANDO ZHIMINAICELA/PIXABAY

State Officials Prep For Oregon Health Plan Shakeup

Plans are taking shape in the Legislature to keep people enrolled when kicked off the Oregon Health Plan.

Feb 10, 2022
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State health officials are racing to win federal approval of Oregon Health Plan changes before Oregon Gov. Kate Brown, shown at the Oregon Convention Center vaccination site, leaves office. | KRISTYNA WENTZ-GRAFF/OPB

For Governor, The Pandemic And Health Care Stay In Forefront

Gov. Kate Brown gave her final State of the State address Thursday, with an eye toward pushing Oregon beyond COVID-19 and expanding the state’s health care workforce.

Feb 4, 2022
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Last year a state employee inadvertently released the vaccination status of some 40,000 Oregon state employees. Pictured is an Aviva Health temporary COVID-19 testing and vaccination site in Roseburg. | PHOTO COURTESY OF AVIVA HEALTH

House Bill Would Set Up Mobile Health Units In Oregon

Mobile health units in two communities would target health disparities in the proposed pilot program.

Feb 3, 2022
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SCREENSHOT OF OREGON HEALTH INSURANCE MARKETPLACE WEBSITE.

Oregon Sets An Enrollment Record, But Lags Other States

Pandemic-sparked health insurance discounts drove record enrollment around the country, but most states notched bigger gains.

Feb 1, 2022

DR. DEAN SIDELINGER, OREGON’S STATE EPIDEMIOLOGIST, AT A JAN. 28, 2022 PRESS CONFERENCE./YOUTUBE

Omicron Cases Appear To Flatten As Demand For Hospital Beds Grows

The state’s epidemiologist said Friday that the state will be filing permanent mask and vaccination rules in the next few weeks.

Jan 29, 2022

SHUTTERSTOCK

Coverage Costs Climb In Employer-Based Plans, Study Finds

Despite increases in overall employer health insurance costs between 2010 and 2020, Oregon workers with job-based coverage mostly fared better than the U.S. average.

Jan 27, 2022
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A sign at Hillsboro Online Academy asks people entering the building to wear masks. / Elizabeth Miller / OPB

Oregon Health Authority Hears More Testimony Against Extending Mask Mandates

In two more hearings Monday, state officials heard criticism of a ‘permanent rule’ that they promise will be rescinded when pandemic conditions improve.

Jan 25, 2022

Oregon lawmakers gathered to discuss the upcoming session in a virtual discussion Thursday./Zoom

Oregon Lawmakers Prepare For Session Crammed With Health Care Proposals

As the COVID-19 pandemic nears the two-year mark, state legislators say its lessons are spawning bills.

Jan 20, 2022
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Becky Hultberg, CEO of the Oregon Association of Hospitals and Health Systems, said Thursday hospitals are straining under state mandates/Zoom

As Omicron Peak Nears, Hospitals Say Hundreds More Beds Should Be Vacant

Oregon hospitals urge lawmakers to refrain from new mandates, saying they’re nearing capacity because they can’t discharge patients like they normally do.

Jan 20, 2022

Clouds hover over the Oregon Capitol building.

Oregon State Capitol in Salem. | BEN BOTKIN/THE LUND REPORT

Oregon Lawmakers Prepare For Short Session With Workforce Challenges, Among Others

Health care workforce needs and behavioral health incentives are on the table as lawmakers prepare for the short session.