Jake Thomas

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Inside Good Samaritan Hospital in Portland. | LYNNE TERRY/THE LUND REPORT

Unions, hospitals strike larger deal around minimum staffing compromise

Compromise on nurse-to-patient ratios includes union support for other hospital-backed bills

Mar 28, 2023
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Members of the Oregon House of Representatives on March 21, 2023. | JAKE THOMAS/THE LUND REPORT

Lawmakers seek pause on new Oregon Health Plan contracts

Oregon is modifying its unique Medicaid system while resuming member eligibility checks

Mar 28, 2023
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Oregon Capitol in Salem. | JAKE THOMAS/THE LUND REPORT

Key deadline brings Oregon lawmakers’ priorities into focus

But uncertainty hovers over how to pay for more health care workers and mental health services

Mar 27, 2023
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SHUTTERSTOCK

Bill would tighten charity care rules for Oregon hospitals

Recent reports claim Oregon hospitals have hounded patients who should instead be offered help

Mar 22, 2023
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Oregon State Hospital in Salem. | OREGON HEALTH AUTHORITY

Marion County Sheriff won’t transport patients from Oregon State Hospital

The office is citing three state judges’ decisions that contradict the federal judge’s ruling

Mar 22, 2023
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Legacy’s closure of the maternity unit at its Mount Hood Medical Center in Gresham, Ore., follows weeks of pushback and was marked with a candlelight vigil on March 17, 2023, outside the hospital that critics organized. | JAKE THOMAS/THE LUND REPORT

State investigates Legacy’s Gresham maternity unit closure

The health system says the closure was safe, but it didn’t get prior Oregon Health Authority approval

Mar 21, 2023
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Christine Reeh, a licensed therapist, tells the Oregon House Behavioral Health and Health Care Committee on Tuesday, March 14, 2023, how insurance auditing practices threaten to reduce access to mental health treatment services. | OLIS SCREEN GRAB/THE LUND REPORT

Bill seeks to shield Oregon mental health providers from costly audit practices

Therapists told a legislative committee insurance audits are driving them out of business, but the fix may conflict with federal law

Mar 16, 2023
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Activists on Feb. 13, 2023, protested the proposed closure of Mount Hood Family Birth Center in Gresham. | JAKE THOMAS/THE LUND REPORT

State threatens ‘regulatory actions’ if Legacy closes Gresham hospital maternity unit without approval

Citing red ink, Legacy plans to push ahead with closure of the facility despite state concerns and newly introduced legislation

Mar 15, 2023
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Shutterstock

Oregon lawmakers consider bill to boost community-based mental health treatment beds

An estimated $271 million could create nearly 600 residential beds to treat Oregonians with substance use or mental health disorders

Mar 14, 2023
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Activists on Feb. 13, 2023, protested the proposed closure of Mount Hood Family Birth Center in Gresham. | JAKE THOMAS/THE LUND REPORT

East County lawmakers urge state to block Legacy’s closure of Gresham birth center

Lawmakers’ letter contends an ‘unsafe’ care model sought by the health system for the maternity unit caused a wave of staff to exit

Mar 13, 2023
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