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Oregon State Capitol in Salem. | JAKE THOMAS/THE LUND REPORT

Oregon lawmakers start trying to tackle state’s addiction crisis

The fentanyl crisis touches every part of the state, public health officials told lawmakers on Wednesday

Oct 19, 2023

A pile of flowers and a note eulogizing Bobby Smallwood, a security officer for Legacy Health, sit outside the Good Samaritan Medical Center, where he was killed during a confrontation on July 30, 2023. | JAKE THOMAS/THE LUND REPORT

New push to make hospital worker assault a felony sparks familiar concerns

Lawmakers are again debating whether stiffer penalties for assaulting hospital workers would criminalize people for mental illness

Feb 20, 2024
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Nurses and supporters picket outside of Providence Milwaukie Hospital on June 18, 2024. | JAKE THOMAS/THE LUND REPORT

Bill to offer unemployment pay to striking workers sets up clash in Salem

Labor groups argue the bill would extend a crucial lifeline to workers. Employers say it would lead to longer strikes.

Feb 6

Oregon Capitol in Salem. | JAKE THOMAS/THE LUND REPORT

As drug criminalization debate rages, Oregon lawmakers consider creating a new misdemeanor

Democrats and Republicans are seeing whether they can find compromise over what kinds of consequences drug users might face

Feb 13, 2024

Oregon State Hospital in Salem. | JAKE THOMAS/THE LUND REPORT

Oregon hospitals' new suit over poor mental health care could complicate legislative session

State lawmakers say behavioral health remains a major priority, and now hospitals' revived lawsuit could raise the stakes

Oct 3, 2024
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State Rep. Tawna Sanchez, D-Portland, chatting before a session of the Oregon House on March 21, 2023. | JAKE THOMAS/THE LUND REPORT

Hundreds of health care bills will live or die Friday as a key deadline hits in Salem

Legislative leaders have moved efforts to address medical debt and increase payments for dentists and behavioral health workers, but may not advance bills to protect consumers from surprise fees and boost access to primary care.

Mar 20
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Clouds hover over the Oregon Capitol building.

Oregon State Capitol in Salem. | BEN BOTKIN/THE LUND REPORT

Workforce, mental health top health care priorities as Oregon legislative session begins

Lawmakers don’t have a price tag yet for training more health care workers and expanding mental health services.

Jan 19, 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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Activists on Feb. 13, 2023, protested the proposed closure of Mount Hood Family Birth Center in Gresham. | JAKE THOMAS/THE LUND REPORT

East County lawmakers urge state to block Legacy’s closure of Gresham birth center

Lawmakers’ letter contends an ‘unsafe’ care model sought by the health system for the maternity unit caused a wave of staff to exit

Mar 13, 2023
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Oregon House Majority Leader Ben Bowman speaks about his efforts to curb what critics call the "corporatization of medicine" at the Oregon Health Forum on Oct. 16, 2024, in Portland. To his left is Brian Kelly, CEO of Women’s Healthcare Associates. | JAKE THOMAS/THE LUND REPORT

Uneven playing field pushes independent docs to corporate medicine, Oregon panel says

With lawmakers expected to take up legislation that’s being watched across the country, experts detailed a complicated picture

Oct 17, 2024
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