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SHUTTERSTOCK

Oregon Sets Minimum Charity Care Levels For Hospitals

Other states have set minimums for hospital groups but Oregon is the first to set levels for individual hospitals, which have profited from the expansion of Medicaid.

Feb 17, 2021
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SHUTTERSTOCK

Oregon Requires Health Insurers To Cover COVID-19 Vaccination Costs

Patients are not charged for the vaccine or the provider’s cost of administering it whether they have commercial insurance, Medicare, Medicaid or no insurance at all.

Feb 2, 2021

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COURTESY OF PACIFICSOURCE

PacificSource Pays $135,000 Fine For Service Appeals Violations

The insurer’s commercial arm violated state-mandated deadlines nearly 4,500 times when members or providers contested denials of service.

Jan 25, 2021
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Plan To Curb Rise In Health Care Costs Moving To Legislature

A committee that first met at the end of 2019 has come up with a proposed program to cap cost increases at 3.4% a year in Oregon.

Jan 13, 2021
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LYNNE TERRY/THE LUND REPORT

Gov. Brown’s Medicaid Budget Would Crimp Hospitals, Insurers

A hospital industry group criticizes the proposed cuts in Medicaid reimbursement rates following a rough year for hospitals that have seen reduced revenue from elective procedures.

Dec 1, 2020
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SHUTTERSTOCK

The Most Expensive Drug In Oregon Costs $43,000 A Prescription

The state released its latest drug transparency data, which shows that Humira, used for rheumatoid arthritis, racked up $81 million in sales over the past year.

Nov 20, 2020
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SHUTTERSTOCK

Blue Cross Blue Shield Agrees To $2.67 Billion Settlement In Antitrust Suit

The agreement, which affects 36 Blue Cross Blue Shield companies, including four in the Northwest, is expected to increase competition among health insurers.

Nov 9, 2020

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Vaping appears to be on the rise. | KRISTIAN FODEN-VENCIL/OPB

Election Likely To Hand Budget Writers $330 Million, Mostly For Medicaid

The revenue is projected to stem from the passage of Measure 108, which raises tobacco taxes and creates a new tax on vaping products.

Nov 5, 2020

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SHUTTERSTOCK

Pharmaceutical Industry, Hospitals Pour Money Into Campaigns In Oregon

Ballot Measure 108, which would increase the tax on cigarettes and cigars and vaping products, has attracted the most money.

Oct 20, 2020
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Nurses at Legacy Good Samaritan Medical Center in Portland. | LYNNE TERRY/THE LUND REPORT

Will Ceiling On Growth Of Health Care Costs Hurt Care?

A panel that's developing a plan to curb runaway health care costs in Oregon discussed ways to ensure that quality of care won't be compromised and health disparities are reduced.

Oct 12, 2020
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