Jake Thomas

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State Behavioral Health Director Ebony Clarke said she thinks the state needs to be audacious and bold when it comes to improving care for low-income Oregonians. | SCREENSHOT, OREGON HEALTH FORUM

Oregon behavioral health fissures add costs and block access, panel says

Oregon's notoriously fragmented system spawns administrative tasks and barriers at the expense of patients and providers, according to a panel of experts who spoke Wednesday

Jun 26, 2024
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A room inside the Recovery Works NW's new withdrawal management facility on Southeast Foster Road in Portland, Ore. Most rooms are limited to two beds. | EMILY GREEN/THE LUND REPORT

Behavioral health access, language barriers persist, new report finds

Low-income Oregonians still don’t have enough mental health and substance use treatment providers, and patients who need interpreters too often don’t get them, an independent state advocate reports

Jun 25, 2024

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The Oregon Health Authority's headquarters in Salem in November, 2023. | JAKE THOMAS/THE LUND REPORT

Firing of Oregon Health Authority diversity chief sparks backlash

Not even six months on the job, agency director Sejal Hathi is grappling with questions and dissension after the unexplained firing of the agency’s strongest voice on equity issues, Leann Johnson

Jun 25, 2024

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The Oregon Health Authority headquarters in Salem | JAKE THOMAS/THE LUND REPORT

Oregon Health Authority equity director fired

Leann Johnson was terminated after more than decade working at the state, including eight years as head of a division charged with overseeing internal workplace complaints

Jun 21, 2024
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Nurses and supporters picket outside of Providence Milwaukie Hospital on June 18, 2024. | JAKE THOMAS/THE LUND REPORT

Providence nurses will remain on picket lines even as strike officially ends

The Oregon Nurses Association accused Providence of illegally locking its members out of their workplaces. Providence said the “union talks one way, acts another.”

Jun 20, 2024
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BRETT HONDOW/PIXABAY

Health care groups enter Oregon gun control case

Professional associations representing doctors, nurses and others are backing an appeal in support of Measure 114, arguing research shows it would improve public safety

Jun 18, 2024

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COURTESY OF SAINT ALPHONSUS.

Oregon trend fuels Wyden effort to curb spread of ‘maternity deserts’

Following two controversial moves by Oregon hospitals to close birth centers, new federal legislation would improve hospital reimbursements in Medicaid funds

Jun 17, 2024
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Nurses and other health care workers along with their supporters took to the picket lines outside Providence Portland Medical Center in June 2023 as the state’s largest nurses union called a five-day strike. | JAKE THOMAS/THE LUND REPORT

Updated: Providence, nurses union trade barbs as strike launches at six hospitals

As largest-ever Oregon hospital strike begins, the hospital system says the union endangers patients by trying to cut off access to supplies and temporary workers; union calls complaint ironic

Jun 14, 2024
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A picture of Rogue Regional Medical Center in 2007. At the time it was known as Rogue Valley Medical Center. | BY NICKNELSON/ENGLISH WIKIPEDIA VIA WIKIMEDIA COMMONS.

Medford nurse charged with 44 counts of assault in alleged Asante drug diversion

Prosecutors said they don’t have evidence to support homicide charges against the nurse accused of replacing patient fentanyl with tap water

Jun 13, 2024
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Staff care for a COVID-19 patient at Oregon Health & Science University. | COURTESY OF OHSU

Nurses union cries foul as staffing law takes effect

Five days after a high-profile statute took effect, hospitals deny violating its new rules while the union claims deliberate violations

Jun 5, 2024
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