Rural Health

St. Charles Health System in Bend. | COURTESY OF ST. CHARLES HEALTH SYSTEM

St. Charles Health ‘encouraged’ by Medicare Advantage negotiations

The system says it’s listening to community concerns over care for 26,000 people in Central Oregon

Aug 31, 2023
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St. Charles Health System in Bend. | COURTESY OF ST. CHARLES HEALTH SYSTEM

St. Charles Medical Center dodges nurses strike with deal over pay, rest breaks

The deal comes after nearly two days of negotiations and as the nurses union threatens strikes at other hospitals

Jun 8, 2023
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St. Charles Health System in Bend. | COURTESY OF ST. CHARLES HEALTH

Nurses to vote on strike authorization at Bend hospital

Union representing more than 1,000 nurses at St. Charles Health System says management is refusing to compromise in contract negotiations

May 16, 2023
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Morrow County Health District ambulances in northeastern Oregon. | COURTESY MORROW COUNTY HEALTH DISTRICT

Morrow County Health District sues to block ambulance competition

The lawsuit follows three years of tension with the Boardman fire district

May 16, 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

A girls hands release a butterfly into the sky

SHUTTERSTOCK

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 Red Lion Inn & Suites in Seaside was purchase by CareOregon so it could be converted into housing for health care workers, as well as people with behavioral health needs. | COURTESY OF CAREOREGON

Hotel will become housing for health care workers on Oregon Coast

Results from the CareOregon project could bolster argument for Medicaid-funded workforce housing

Mar 16, 2023
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Nurses and health care workers at St. Anthony Hospital in Pendleton. | COURTESY OREGON NURSES ASSOCIATION

Alleged wage theft from nurses at CommonSpirit hospitals in Oregon sparks lawsuit

Union members say underpayments at Mercy Medical in Roseburg and St. Anthony in Pendleton followed a ransomware attack

Mar 9, 2023
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Mid-Columbia Medical Center in The Dalles is tentatively being absorbed by California-based Adventist Health. | PHOTO BY LARVICK MEDIA/COURTESY OF MCMC

Critics, backers emerge on Adventist plan to absorb Mid-Columbia Medical Center

Adventist Health’s proposal to absorb the financially strapped Mid-Columbia Medical Center in The Dalles has sparked numerous comments, including fierce support and opposition.

Feb 16, 2023
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YEONHEE LEE/PIXABAY

Legislation seeks stable funding for new 988 crisis hotline

The bill would establish a new cell phone tax to fund a hotline that advocates and lawmakers say is key to rebuilding Oregon’s mental health services.

Feb 7, 2023
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