Jake Thomas

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Dr. Win Kyin worked in primary care in Myanmar before fleeing the country, but she ran into roadblocks when she tried to get licensed to practice medicine in the U.S. Kyin pictured here on March 3 at the IRCO Pacific Islander and Asian Family Center. | JAKE THOMAS/THE LUND REPORT

Bill seeks to clear path for health workers trained abroad

Supporters say people with health care expertise from abroad could ease Oregon's staffing shortages

Mar 9, 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

Legacy Health sticks to tight timeline for closing Mount Hood birth center

Legacy indicates it may start diverting ambulances from Mount Hood birth center in just 10 days despite the state’s warning of potential sanctions

Mar 7, 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

Nurses at Legacy’s Gresham hospital push to unionize

Oregon Nurses Association, the state’s largest nurses union, continues organizing efforts at a hospital attracting attention for the planned closure of its birth center

Mar 7, 2023
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Oregon Capitol in Salem. | JAKE THOMAS/THE LUND REPORT

Bill allowing Oregon Health Authority to access patient immigration data advances

The agency’s legislation to improve data showing health inequities will be pared down in the face of opposition

Mar 2, 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

Legacy Health still needs approval to shutter a Gresham birth center on March 17

Records show a quick approval is possible, but Legacy’s plan differs from an earlier one the Oregon Health Authority approved

Mar 2, 2023
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SHUTTERSTOCK

Bill seeks personal data collection on people who use legal psilocybin in Oregon

Proponents say the data is protected and will benefit the program. Critics say it will deter patients.

Feb 28, 2023
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Kevin Heinrich, a licensed practical nurse, at a workstation at Mirabella Portland’s skilled nursing facility on Feb. 13, 2023. Nurses and other health care workers have become increasingly hard to find after the pandemic. | JAKE THOMAS/THE LUND REPORT

Long-term care providers say temp staff costs unsustainable, want help

Temporary staffing agencies helped with shortages during the pandemic, but providers and others say the high cost destabilizes health care

Feb 23, 2023
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Nurses at Legacy Health Good Samaritan Hospital in Portland. | LYNNE TERRY/THE LUND REPORT

Oregon Republicans want to ease entry of out-of-state nurses

Legislation billed as easing staffing shortages by adding Oregon to the interstate Nurse Licensure Compact faces headwinds.

Feb 20, 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

Multnomah County leaders say closure of Legacy birth center would boost disparities

County commissioners join a chorus of voices pressing Legacy to keep open a labor and delivery facility that serves east county

Feb 20, 2023
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FERNANDO ZHIMINAICELA/PIXABAY

State prepares to take 300,000 people off Oregon Health Plan as pandemic measures end

Officials expect difficulty in reaching members of the Medicaid-funded program after a three-year pause in eligibility checks. 

Feb 16, 2023
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