State Health Policy

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The Oregon State Capitol in November 2024. | JAKE THOMAS/THE LUND REPORT

Oregon Gov. Kotek seeks state hospital fixes, more mental health in budget asks

As the legislative session looms, Kotek unveiled a spending plan that aims to bring Oregon closer to its treatment bed goal, ease federal scrutiny of the state hospital and put the Oregon Health Plan on better footing

Dec 3, 2024
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A view of OHSU's South Waterfront campus in September 2024. | JAKE THOMAS/THE LUND REPORT

Opinion: Top state officials need to ensure OHSU-Legacy merger questions are addressed

Gov. Tina Kotek, Attorney General-elect Dan Rayfield and the Oregon Health Authority should fix the review process, demand more detail from Oregon Health & Science University and Legacy Health and ensure transparency before any merger is approved, according to a longtime Oregon health economist

Nov 19, 2024

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State halts health insurance website contracting amid fairness concerns

The legislatively mandated project will be delayed after state officials last week canceled a contracting process amid undisclosed concerns. They say they'll start a new one immediately.

Nov 19, 2024

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Unity Center for Behavioral Health is in Northeast Portland.

Health authority is flouting new Biden anti-discrimination rules, hospitals claim

A federal court battle over who should care for severely mentally ill people is evolving as advocates join hospitals in saying the state neglects its obligations

Nov 14, 2024
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Cascadia Behavioral Healthcare walk-in clinic in Portland. | LYNNE TERRY/THE LUND REPORT

Attacks on behavioral health workers prompt push for safer workplaces

Violence at behavioral health facilities has a task force honing recommendations that could ensure a worker need never be alone with a client they feel is a threat

Nov 12, 2024
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A view of OHSU's South Waterfront campus in September 2024. | JAKE THOMAS/THE LUND REPORT

Kitzhaber sounds alarm over proposed takeover of Legacy Health by OHSU

State leaders should explore bailout of financially distressed Legacy unless Oregon Health & Science University can make clear case for merger — which it has not done yet, according to influential former governor

Nov 7, 2024

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Oregonians brace for health care changes as second Trump term nears

Oregon’s protections for gender-affirming care, abortion and access for people who are noncitizens could face tests under a president-elect who gave mixed signals on the campaign trail

Nov 7, 2024
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OHSU's main campus in Portland in September, 2024. | JAKE THOMAS/THE LUND REPORT

Proposed OHSU-Legacy merger set to go under a microscope

A review board will recommend to state regulators whether to approve a hospital merger that would hold a commanding market position in the Portland area

Nov 5, 2024

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A view of the Oregon Capitol in November, 2023. | JAKE THOMAS/THE LUND REPORT

‘Kicking a hornet’s nest:’ Cost limits on pricey drugs in Oregon expected to draw blowback

The task is tricky and different approaches could have ripple effects, according to a state consultant, but a key lawmaker says the issue can’t wait

Oct 24, 2024
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The emergency department at Legacy Good Samaritan hospital in Portland on July 30, 2023. | JAKE THOMAS/THE LUND REPORT

Alliance on mental illness aims to join Oregon hospitals in lawsuit over care gaps

New filing by NAMI could lend weight to hospitals’ arguments that top state officials are neglecting their obligations to provide care

Oct 22, 2024
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