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

Oregon hospitals seeks more funding to close reimbursement gap

The hospital trade association said Medicaid only pays 56 cents for every dollar of service provided and that other costs are going up

Jan 23

Ozempic insulin injection pen. | NATALIA VARLEI/SHUTTERSTOCK

States consider high costs, possible savings of covering weight-loss drugs for their workers

Covering weight-loss drugs could result in lower spending on chronic diseases associated with obesity.

Jan 23

OREGON MEDICAL GROUP IS A MAJOR PROVIDER IN LANE COUNTY,/CHRISTIAN WIHTOL/THE LUND REPORT

Three health care companies increased costs excessively, Oregon warns

Notices to Oregon Medical Group, Moda Health and UnitedHealthcare amount to “first strike,” one official said. The new program is preparing to leverage its authority in an effort to rein in inflation affecting patients and consumers and other members of the public.

Jan 22
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St. Charles Health System in Redmond. | COURTESY ST. CHARLES HEALTH SYSTEM

St. Charles' $6 million, three-year battle over paperwork may be nearing an end

U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden is asking federal health officials to fix what he says is a paperwork error that has cost the central Oregon hospital system millions

Jan 21
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Austin Turley became depressed and suicidal after a classmate died following an accident at school. Turley's mother took him to Inland Northwest Behavioral Health for help but instead of admitting Austin, staff called the police when he told them he had thoughts of hurting others. Austin was arrested and spent weeks in juvenile detention. | ERICK DOXEY FOR INVESTIGATEWEST

Former staff at Spokane youth psychiatric unit blame Providence for closure

As youth mental health worsens in Eastern Washington, the decision shrinks available acute services

Jan 21

Oregon House legislative leaders speak to the press during a Jan. 16, 2025 media availability about the upcoming legislative session. From left, House Minority Leader Christine Drazan, House Speaker Julie Fahey and House Majority Leader Ben Bowman. | JAKE THOMAS/THE LUND REPORT

Provider taxes, staffing shortages and mental health will be top priorities for lawmakers in 2025

Looming over the session are a possible contempt order over the Oregon State Hospital as well as Trump administration changes

Jan 21
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Processed foods at a grocery store. | COURTESY/WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

Junk food turns public villain as power shifts in Washington

Some Trump insiders are ready to take on the food industry. It remains to be seen whether their entrée will result in any meaningful change in government oversight of “Big Food” — or in American health.

Jan 21

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Oregon Health Authority extends benefits to young adults with special needs

The program offers expanded dental and vision services for young adults with special needs who normally would not qualify for the low-income health plan

Jan 21

Peppi, a Canine Companion dog, takes a break at Denver’s HCA HealthONE Rose medical center with her handler, emergency medicine physician Susan Ryan, in November. | HART VAN DENBURG/CPR NEWS

Dogs paired with providers at hospitals help ease staff and patient stress

Some hospitals are bringing in dogs to spend entire shifts with doctors and nurses. The trained canines help staffers cope with the stress of their work amid high levels of burnout.

Jan 21