Ben Botkin

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Oregon State Capitol in Salem. | RENAUDE HATSEDAKIS

Legislature Punts On Liability Protections For Health Care Providers, Passes Other Bills 

Lawmakers extend eviction moratorium, pass rental aid for tenants and landlords and allow restaurants to deliver cocktails and mixed drinks.

Dec 21, 2020
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Oregon Health & Science University ICU nurse Ansu Drammeh is vaccinated by dental resident Ryan Thrower. | FRITZ LIEDTKE/OHSU

Pfizer-BioNTech’s Deep-Freeze COVID-19 Vaccine Poses Fresh Challenges

The vaccine has to be stored at minus 70 degrees Celsius -- colder than an Arctic winter -- in special freezers that can cost $20,000.

Dec 17, 2020
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Gov. Kate Brown | BRADLEY PARKS/OPB

Oregonians Face Long Vaccine Wait As State Begins Work On Protocols

State wants to vaccinate 3 million residents, but so far federal government has promised Oregon only enough vaccine for about 100,000 people.

Dec 11, 2020

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PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center in Vancouver, Washington, on Aug. 7, 2013. | RYTYHO USA/WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

PeaceHealth Southwest Expects COVID-19 Vaccinations To Arrive Next Week

The Vancouver hospital doesn’t know yet how many doses of the vaccine by Pfizer and BioNTech it will receive.

Dec 10, 2020

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SHUTTERSTOCK

Unemployment Claims In Health Care Industry Spike In 2020 

Tens of thousands of laid off or underemployed health care workers filed for unemployment compensation in Oregon this year, even as demand for specialized staff and other workers went up.

Dec 10, 2020
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SHUTTERSTOCK

State Prepares For First Vaccine Doses, As Governor Warns 'Hardest Days Still Lie Ahead'

A vaccine rollout will start slowly, with long-term care residents and frontline medical staff at the head of the line.

Dec 4, 2020

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LYNNE TERRY/THE LUND REPORT

Gov. Brown’s Medicaid Budget Would Crimp Hospitals, Insurers

A hospital industry group criticizes the proposed cuts in Medicaid reimbursement rates following a rough year for hospitals that have seen reduced revenue from elective procedures.

Dec 1, 2020
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Malheur County. | SHUTTERSTOCK

Rural Oregon Counties Hit Hardest By COVID-19

Malheur, Umatilla and Morrow counties, where people often can’t work at home, have the highest case rates per capita in Oregon.

Nov 24, 2020
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CareOregon is among 16 coordinated care organizations in Oregon serving Medicaid members. | LYNNE TERRY/THE LUND REPORT

Coordinated Care Organizations Step Up Social Services During Pandemic, Wildfires

Officials from two Medicaid insurers in Oregon discussed some of the challenges they’ve faced during the pandemic and wildfires that flattened many homes.

Nov 19, 2020
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The Oregon Health Authority in Salem. | OREGON HEALTH AUTHORITY

Health Authority Seeks To Regulate Health Care Industry Mergers

Government officials and industry experts expect to see consolidation among health systems and smaller organizations following the financial hit caused by the pandemic.

Nov 16, 2020
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