Public Health

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Sterling Hanakahi, 73, and Anita Hanakahi, 70, of Tillamook say they were blindsided when Texas-based U.S. Renal Care executives announced they would close their kidney dialysis center in the coastal community Feb. 23. Anita has relied on the center for the past nine years. For her and 10 other local patients, she said, local dialysis treatment is a matter of life and death. | COURTESY OF ANITA HANAKAHI

Tillamook dialysis patients say they're in life-threatening limbo after closure

A Texas-based company, U.S. Renal Care, vowed to keep its clinic open until patients had alternatives, but some of them say that's not happening

Feb 29, 2024
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A box of Narcan, an-opioid reversing drug, before it was distributed at a day shelter in Ontario, Ore. on Oct. 13, 2022. | KYLE GREEN/THE LUND REPORT

New year brings new laws on insurance coverage, Narcan availability and more

Health care bills that made it past the finish line during the last session are now law

Jan 2, 2024
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The Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace is a state portal that connects individuals to health insurance and potential federal subsidies to help pay for it. | HEALTHCARE.OREGON.GOV/THE LUND REPORT

New rates, other changes as individual enrollment begins in Oregon

People who buy their own plans and are not on Medicare can get hefty discounts, even at incomes not previously eligible

Nov 2, 2023
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MUFID MAJNUN/UNSPLASH

The country’s leading COVID-19 variant is still rare in Oregon

Omicron EG.5 has become the U.S.’s most dominant variant, making up nearly a quarter of national cases

Oct 26, 2023

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SHUTTERSTOCK

Oregon health officials recommend getting new COVID-19 vaccine as soon as it’s available

It’s not yet clear exactly when the new COVID-19 vaccine will be available in Oregon. But people can begin scheduling appointments now.

Sep 14, 2023

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For a time, drive-through and walk-in vaccinations were available across the state, including some funded by the state. | PHOTO COPYRIGHT: PAMPLIN MEDIA GROUP (USED WITH PERMISSION)

Legislature likely to provide a fraction of public health officers’ budget request

Local health officials sought $286 million to combat health disparities; a budget bill includes $50 million

Jun 20, 2023
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The Capitol Building in Salem. | JAKE THOMAS/THE LUND REPORT

Improved Oregon revenue forecast could fund health care improvements

Behavioral health, coverage, workforce loom large on the laundry list of unmet requests facing state lawmakers. A legislative impasse could keep them from going anywhere despite the availability of new funds.

May 18, 2023
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Rapid COVID-19 test. | SHUTTERSTOCK

New COVID wave coming to Oregon, forecaster says

New variant, ‘Arcturus,’ is expected to drive a new surge in cases, and it may come with additional cases of pink eye

Apr 17, 2023
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A critical care nurse at OHSU receives a vaccine during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. | COURTESY OHSU

Oregon health systems require some masking despite end of mandate

While masking protocols vary among providers, it’s still generally required around medically fragile patients

Apr 4, 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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