Access & Quality

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Oregon House of Representatives in Salem. | JAKE THOMAS/THE LUND REPORT

Oregon House passes pharmacy benefit manager bills

The bills had strong bipartisan backing after pharmacies pleaded for help. One sparked cost concerns from Oregon cities.

Jun 15, 2023
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An employee of the Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services helps a consumer pick a health care plan on the federal online health insurance marketplace. | DEPARTMENT OF CONSUMER AND BUSINESS SERVICES

Comment period extended as concerns grow over new health plan's effects

Kaiser Permanente is urging the state to pause the Basic Health Program, which would extend Oregon Health Plan-style benefits to more than 90,000 people, to address premium hikes that would hit tens of thousands of other Oregonians

Jun 13, 2023
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KATI/PIXABAY

Health care access is top complaint to Oregon Medicaid Ombuds Program

New report notes low spending on behavioral health services for low-income Oregonians

Jun 8, 2023
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LUND REPORT ILLUSTRATION/SHUTTERSTOCK

New Oregon health plan for working poor would jack up costs for people earning slightly more

Undeterred by costly premium hikes it will cause for many Oregonians, state officials are pursuing a new health plan to keep as many as 20,000 people from dropping their insurance — but some say officials haven't done enough to inform the public

Jun 7, 2023

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Oregon State Capitol in Salem. | JAKE THOMAS/THE LUND REPORT

Oregon doctors call for passage of abortion access, transgender care bill

In a letter to lawmakers, nearly 200 doctors say the failure to pass legislation at the center of the impasse in Salem hurts patients

Jun 6, 2023
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Patients sleep at the Hooper Detoxification Stabilization Center in Portland on March 14, 2023. At Hooper, doctors and nurses oversee the medical needs of patients as they go through alcohol and drug withdrawal — a critical first step toward recovery. | EMILY GREEN/THE LUND REPORT

Meth, fentanyl pose new problems for overwhelmed detox providers

Painful drug withdrawals that last longer, new mental health hurdles and lack of follow-up care are leading to missed opportunities, workers say

Jun 1, 2023

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Oregon State Hospital in Salem. | OREGON HEALTH AUTHORITY

Judge rules that hospitals can’t sue the state over civilly committed patients

Oregon hospital systems can’t complain about costly and difficult patients while advocating for their civil rights, a federal ruling says

May 30, 2023
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The VA center in Portland is located next to Oregon Health & Science University. | U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

VA negligence led to leg amputation, allowed cancer to grow, suit says

Federal filing says patient in Portland received physical therapy while a cancerous tumor near knee remained undiagnosed for years, leading to amputation

May 30, 2023
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SHUTTERSTOCK

Oregon Health Authority says so far most people will keep Medicaid as eligibility checks resume

Oregon’s comparatively drawn-out approach to the Medicaid review will take up more complicated cases in the coming months

May 25, 2023
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An employee of the Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services helps a consumer pick a health care plan on the federal online health insurance marketplace. | DEPARTMENT OF CONSUMER AND BUSINESS SERVICES

Oregon health insurers propose premium hikes

Premiums for some individuals and small businesses could go up 8% or more, according to new filings

May 25, 2023
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