Health Equity

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

Legacy’s Gresham maternity unit closure endangered patients, federal regulators say

Blistering federal notice says Legacy’s Gresham-based hospital could lose Medicare payments unless it corrects findings of patient safety violations

May 11, 2023
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Oregon State Penitentiary in Salem is a maximum-security prison. | COURTESY OF OREGON DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS.

Most Oregon prisoners can’t get addiction treatment; there’s a bill to change that

House Bill 2890 would expand access to behavioral health care in state-run corrections facilities, where 90% of prisoners are eventually released

May 8, 2023
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House passes bill to boost Oregon hospitals’ charity care

Reports of tax-exempt hospitals hounding poor patients for payment prompted lawmakers to consider toughening Oregon’s charity care requirements

Apr 25, 2023
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Yadira Martinez of Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Institute is one of the first dental therapists approved to treat cavities in Oregon. Lawmakers approved the profession in 2021 to save money and combat inequities, but pilot programs set up for training are slated to go away in less than two years. | COURTESY VIRGINIA GARCIA

They were supposed to fix dental shortages, but Oregon has only a handful

Two years ago, state lawmakers approved a new profession to combat inequities and save money. But a narrow licensing path has limited the number of these dental therapists.

Apr 25, 2023

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Oregon ‘death doulas’ increase in numbers, in Portland and rural areas

As the burgeoning industry begins to take shape, new programs in central Oregon extend end-of-life services to homeless and rural populations

Apr 13, 2023
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The closure of Legacy's Mount Hood birth center was marked with a vigil on March 17, 2023. | JAKE THOMAS/THE LUND REPORT

Legacy reverses course on closure of Gresham birth center

Facing scrutiny from health officials, Legacy signaled it is assembling doctors in staff to reopen the maternity center within 90 days

Apr 12, 2023
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MEGAN REXAZIN/PIXABAY

Panel: Should Oregon heed lessons from health systems abroad?

Oregon Health Forum is hosting a virtual discussion that contrasts other countries’ health systems with Oregon’s

Apr 11, 2023

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University of Oregon to host talk on climate change impacts to public health

Dr. Renee Salas, an expert in the field of climate and health care, will deliver the free lecture

Mar 30, 2023
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The closure of Legacy's Mount Hood birth center was marked with a vigil on March 17, 2023. | JAKE THOMAS/THE LUND REPORT

Oregon Health Authority denies Legacy’s request to close Gresham maternity unit

Health officials accused Legacy of creating a staffing problem and signaled the health system could face penalties for the closure

Mar 29, 2023
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