Jake Thomas

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Jordan Morelli, a supervisor at the David Romprey Oregon Warmline, pauses in between calls. Morelli has worked at the warmline for about nine years, taking calls from people who need help talking through mental health struggles. | COURTESY COMMUNITY COUNSELING SOLUTIONS

Oregon ‘warmline’ provides record mental health support, but cuts loom

State officials have called the service ‘essential’ and a money-saver, but want others in the fragmented behavioral health system to step up with funding

Oct 3, 2023
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SEIU Local 49 President Meg Niemi speaks during an event Thursday Sept. 14, 2023 in Southeast Portland with over 100 union members and supporters. | JAKE THOMAS/THE LUND REPORT

Local Kaiser workers to launch 3-day strike as part of national work stoppage

Kaiser Permanente hopes to prevent what would be the largest health care worker strike in U.S. history.

Oct 2, 2023
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Dave Baden, interim director of the Oregon Health Authority, speaks to the House Interim Committee On Behavioral Health and Health Care on Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2023, about the financial strength of the state’s Medicaid insurers. | JAKE THOMAS/THE LUND REPORT

Insurers’ high pandemic profits from Oregon Health Plan spark legislative hearing

Citing reporting by The Lund Report, lawmakers highlighted more than $400 million in profits, which insurers defended as needed reserves and money for future community investments

Sep 28, 2023

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Oregon Health & Science University | MICHAEL MCDERMOTT/OHSU

Nurses union and OHSU reach tentative deal on new contract

The agreement, which the union calls “historic,” allows further bargaining on Oregon Health & Science University’s proposed merger with Legacy Health.

Sep 26, 2023

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Rachael Banks, who served as public health director for the state of Oregon for three years, was appointed in September 2023 to head the Multnomah County Health Department. The position requires board confirmation. | COURTESY MULTNOMAH COUNTY

State Public Health Director Rachael Banks leaving for a top job at Multnomah County

After three years at the Oregon Health Authority, Banks will return to the county to head its health department, if confirmed.

Sep 25, 2023
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PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center University District in Eugene, Ore. | COURTESY OF PEACEHEALTH

Kotek urges PeaceHealth to delay Eugene emergency department closure for 9 months

In a meeting with executives, Kotek offered collaboration and a new look at some rates in return for more time; spokesperson says system will “continue discussions” on ED closure date

Sep 22, 2023
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SHUTTERSTOCK

State accuses local pharmacy owner of pocketing money under HIV program

A lawsuit from the state centers on a complicated federal program that helps low-income people access HIV treatments

Sep 21, 2023
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A Kaiser Permanente pharmacy. | LYNNE TERRY/THE LUND REPORT

Kaiser pharmacy workers say they will strike

Health system spokesperson says management is making contingency plans to offset work stoppage in Oregon, southwest Washington

Sep 20, 2023

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

Feds say Oregon State Hospital was slow to address safety after dangerous patient escaped

For the second time in two years, federal regulators have ordered the state hospital to take action to address unsafe conditions

Sep 20, 2023
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Members of the Association of University Registered Nurses rallied on Portland's South Waterfront Sept. 18, 2023, announcing they had approved a strike as negotiations with Oregon Health & Science University remain at a stalemate. | JAKE THOMAS/THE LUND REPORT

OHSU nurses vote to authorize strike

No strike is imminent, but the vote increases pressure on hospital management as contract bargaining drags on

Sep 18, 2023
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