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AKKALAK AIEMPRADIT/SHUTTERSTOCK

Asante settled Medicare fraud allegations at Medford hospital

The health system now at the center of a local police investigation recently resolved a lengthy federal probe into a whistleblower lawsuit claiming fraudulent billing

Jan 9, 2024
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SASHA BOND/UNSPLASH

Families hit with high costs, waitlists for youth rehab in Oregon and nationwide

The research led by OHSU found that half of the treatment facilities surveyed nationally required an up-front payment averaging more than $28,000, and only a few facilities provide free service to people on Medicaid

Jan 9, 2024

SHUTTERSTOCK

There’s a new COVID-19 variant and cases are ticking up. What do you need to know?

Omicron descendant JN.1 represented at least 39% of pre-holiday cases, and more cases are mild, with fewer deaths and hospitalizations than last year

Jan 9, 2024

PIXABAY

Oregon Recovers director Mike Marshall bounced from state alcohol task force over Facebook post

Gov. Tina Kotek took Marshall off a task force considering higher beer and wine taxes because of a post her office called insensitive and inappropriate

Jan 9, 2024

SHUTTERSTOCK

Older Americans say they feel trapped in Medicare Advantage plans

Enrollment in Medicare Advantage plans has grown substantially, and so have concerns about the insurers’ aggressive sales tactics and misleading coverage claims

Jan 9, 2024

AMR ambulances sit in the company's Multnomah County headquarters. | ANNA DEL SAVIO/PORTLAND TRIBUNE/©PAMPLIN MEDIA GROUP/USED WITH PERMISSION

Tensions and wait times rise during Multnomah County ambulance shortage

The county's uncommon two-paramedic model remains a sticking point as slow ambulance response times continue

Jan 9, 2024
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SHUTTERSTOCK

In allegedly replacing fentanyl with tap water, Asante nurse may have caused deaths

A Medford nurse's alleged diversion of drugs is reportedly believed to have led to numerous deaths over the course of 12 months; questions are swirling as police investigate and a lawyer prepares to sue.

Jan 4, 2024
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Gov. Tina Kotek speaks at the signing of the health care staffing bill on Aug. 15, 2023 at the Capitol in Salem, Ore. | JAKE THOMAS/THE LUND REPORT

Oregon care organizations invest $25 million in youth behavioral health

New spending on projects around the state resulted from pressure from Gov. Kotek after large profits garnered during the pandemic drew attention

Jan 4, 2024
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Sally Nix with her service dog, Jon Snow, at home in Statesville, North Carolina. Late last year, Nix started receiving infusions prescribed by her doctor to ease her autoimmune disease symptoms. But she had to pause the treatments when her insurer started denying payment for them. | LOGAN CYRUS/KFF HEALTH NEWS

Woman petitions health insurer after company approves — then rejects — her infusions

Insurers say prior authorization helps them control costs by preventing medically unnecessary care, but the hurdles can delay or deny access to needed treatments, sometimes with potentially fatal consequences

Jan 4, 2024