Ben Botkin

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REP. TRAVIS NELSON, D-PORTLAND, IS OREGON'S NEWEST LAWMAKER AND A REGISTERED NURSE./COURTESY OF TRAVIS NELSON

Q&A: Rep. Travis Nelson Is Oregon’s Newest Lawmaker

The vice-president of the Oregon Nurses Association has been appointed to fill the seat vacated by former House Speaker Tina Kotek.

Feb 3, 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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Oregon State Hospital in Salem. | BEN BOTKIN/THE LUND REPORT

Court-Appointed Expert Spotlights Community Role In Oregon State Hospital Problems

The expert's report will spawn legislation aimed at pressuring counties to house discharged state hospital patients in community based programs.

Feb 2, 2022
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SHUTTERSTOCK

New Peer Respite Centers Remain Elusive, 6 Months After New Law

Advocates are concerned about the slow start-up of new peer respite centers, a system that still lacks administrative rules for proposals.

Feb 1, 2022
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Inside the Oregon Capitol Building in Salem. | BEN BOTKIN/THE LUND REPORT

Health Care Workforce Plans Taking Shape For Legislative Session

The COVID-19 pandemic and Oregon’s dire health care workforce shortage have sparked a mix of proposals as the session is about to launch.

Jan 27, 2022
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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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SEIU-affiliated workers of McKenzie-Willamette Medical Center in Springfield staged their picketing from a tent across the street from the hospital on Dec. 6, 2021. The union, which represents more than 420 workers, started a five-day strike that day. | BEN BOTKIN/THE LUND REPORT

McKenzie-Willamette Medical Center Union Members Reach Deal

SEIU Local 49-affiliated health care workers have approved a three-year contract with raises and other benefits.

Jan 20, 2022
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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.

Jan 20, 2022
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Oregon House Speaker Tina Kotek. | LYNN HOWLETT PHOTOGRAPHY

Q&A: Speaker Tina Kotek To Leave Gavel And Legislature

Now running for governor, the longtime legislative leader introduced a bill to fight community violence with Medicaid funds as she was leaving.

Jan 18, 2022
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Cainan Molzer (far right), 17, of Medford, poses with his family. | COURTESY JOE MOLZER

Oregon Faces Scrutiny Over One-Of-A-Kind Hurdles to Children’s Health Care

Advocates say low-income children in Oregon deserve the same guarantee of health care that every other state has.

Jan 13, 2022