Access & Quality

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COURTESY OF SAINT ALPHONSUS.

New temp nurses offer hope for Baker City birth center's future

Saint Alphonsus Medical Center-Baker City put new temp nurses to work helping with deliveries this week. Meanwhile, community members await word on longer-term federal help to avert the birth center's Aug. 26th closure, which could threaten lives.

Aug 3, 2023
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COURTESY OF SAINT ALPHONSUS.

Community outcry, government help may delay closure of Baker City birth center to 2024

Saint Alphonsus is transferring nurses from Idaho to keep maternity services going through August, and delay of the closure could extend 6-12 months if federal agency comes through

Jul 26, 2023
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COURTESY OF SAINT ALPHONSUS.

Federal help sought to keep Baker City hospital birth center open

Part of Trinity Health, the nation’s 5th-largest hospital chain, Saint Alphonsus Medical Center has said it aims to close the unit July 31

Jul 25, 2023
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ALEXANDER GREY / PIXABAY

Most people keeping Oregon Health Plan coverage despite eligibility checks

State officials are culling the rolls after the program swelled to cover 1.5 million Oregonians during the pandemic

Jul 20, 2023

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SHUTTERSTOCK

Oregon joins fraud settlement over pain management clinic’s unnecessary procedures

California-based chain had a clinic in east Portland, was accused of billing patients for procedures they did not want or need

Jul 18, 2023
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LUND REPORT ILLUSTRATION/SHUTTERSTOCK

State extends discussion of cost impacts of Basic Health Program

Records show state officials honed “talking points” while negotiating “firestorm” of media attention

Jul 11, 2023
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FALCO/PIXABAY

Oregon saw surge in patients contracting infections in health care facilities

Infections contracted from catheters, ventilators and central lines grew in Oregon during the pandemic

Jul 11, 2023
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Oregon State Hospital in Salem. | OREGON HEALTH AUTHORITY

Federal judge makes changes to Oregon State Hospital rules

Lack of capacity at the state’s premier psychiatric facility continues to put the state in violation of a federal order, but a judge’s changes may help

Jul 6, 2023

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SHUTTERSTOCK

Oregonians get more time to comment on insurance premium hikes

Some consumers are worried about big hikes proposed for small business coverage; individuals also face increases

Jul 6, 2023

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The Oregon Health Authority in Salem. | OREGON HEALTH AUTHORITY

First round of disenrollments looms as Oregon pores through its Medicaid rolls

State officials say about 80 percent of the 1.5 million Oregon Health Plan members will keep coverage

Jun 22, 2023
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