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Andrew and Libby Potter look over the letter they received in October, telling them that their region’s largest hospital system would no longer be considered in-network for Libby’s Medicare Advantage policy. The Potters live in Huntsville, Ala., where Libby is a retired middle school librarian and Andrew is a professor at a state university. | ANNA CLAIRE VOLLERS/STATELINE

1 million+ patients lose coverage as insurers, hospitals drop Medicare Advantage

Experts worry older patients could be exposed to ‘catastrophic’ costs and interrupted access to care

Oct 24, 2024

OHSU President Dr. Danny Jacobs. | COURTESY/OHSU

Updated: Kotek urges board to pause before naming a successor to OHSU President Danny Jacobs

Jacobs' resignation announcement, on the same day he was targeted by a new $6.2 million lawsuit, follows years of upper-level turmoil at the public teaching hospital, and Gov. Kotek says the board should not name a replacement immediately

Oct 24, 2024

Journalist Diane Lund spoke in September, 2024 at a gala to celebrate her work, including the founding of The Lund Report and Oregon Health Forum. | AMANDA COWAN FOR THE LUND REPORT

Letter from the editor: On gratitude, the future of The Lund Report, and you

As our work draws a bit of national recognition, we’ll stay focused on informing Oregonians with original, high-quality reporting — powered by a community of people who care about health care

Oct 24, 2024

SHUTTERSTOCK

“Not medically necessary”: Inside the company helping America’s biggest health insurers deny coverage for care

America’s largest insurers hire EviCore to make care payment decisions for over 100 million people, using an algorithm to increase prior authorization denials. EviCore’s lucrative deals promise insurers a 3-to-1 return on investment by reducing medical procedure costs

Oct 24, 2024

Providence St. Vincent Medical Center in Portland. | M.O. STEVENS/WIKIMEDIA

Portland-area Providence doctors and nurses authorize strike as contract negotiations continue

According to the nurses union, about 150 staff would be impacted in the walkout, and it would be the “first doctor’s strike in Oregon history”

Oct 24, 2024

SHUTTERSTOCK

PBM math: big chains are paid $23.55 to fill a blood pressure Rx. Small drugstores? $1.51.

Criticism of prescription drug middlemen has intensified recently in the wake of a federal agency’s actions and legislative reform attempts. Georgia Republican Gov. Brian Kemp, though, vetoed a related bill that would have helped independent pharmacies, citing the unfunded cost of the move.

Oct 24, 2024

A view of the Oregon Capitol in November, 2023. | JAKE THOMAS/THE LUND REPORT

‘Kicking a hornet’s nest:’ Cost limits on pricey drugs in Oregon expected to draw blowback

The task is tricky and different approaches could have ripple effects, according to a state consultant, but a key lawmaker says the issue can’t wait

Oct 24, 2024
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The VA center in Portland is located next to Oregon Health & Science University. | U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

Portland VA, OHSU publishes study finding hearing loss and Parkinson's disease link in veterans

Research indicated that those with hearing loss have a higher risk of developing Parkinson's disease later in life

Oct 22, 2024
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The Oregon Health Authority in Salem. | OREGON HEALTH AUTHORITY

Unexpected signups fuel $260 million budget hole at Oregon Health Authority

Unexpectedly high enrollment numbers in the Oregon Health Plan will cost ‘a big chunk of change’ official says, and agency officials now will ask lawmakers for help funding that care as well as for unplanned staffing costs at the Oregon State Hospital

Oct 22, 2024
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