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Shereef Elnahal, a former Biden administration official, takes over as president of Oregon Health & Science University on Aug. 11. | COURTESY OF OHSU

OHSU’s new president Shereef Elnahal on building trust and potential funding cuts

The former Biden administration official takes the helm of the troubled health care giant as it braces for serious financial challenges ahead

Jul 1

Alton Fry ponders cancer treatment without insurance KFF

Alton Fry is trying to pay for prostate cancer treatment without health insurance. He’s one of millions of Americans who lack coverage. The number of uninsured could swell as the Trump administration and Congress try to enact policies to roll back access to insurance. | LYNSEY WEATHERSPOON/KFF HEALTH NEWS

In a first, Trump and GOP-led Congress prepare to swell ranks of U.S. uninsured

The United States is the only wealthy country where a substantial number of citizens lack health insurance. The Big Beautiful Bill would add millions more. “The effects could be catastrophic,” one policy analyst predicts.

Jul 1

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Lawmakers clear bills targeting Oregon’s struggling mental health system

New laws will loosen civil commitment rules and devote tens of millions of dollars to new residential facilities and workers to staff them

Jun 30
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Oregon State Capitol | SHUTTERSTOCK

Oregon lawmakers pushed through some health care bills, not others as session ended

Nurses won improvements in several areas, and could receive unemployment while on strike, while a bill intended to curb community pharmacy closures fizzled

Jun 30
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Clockwise from front left: Sophomores Madison Cailteux, Kaden Davis Young, Samuel Stanley, Jack Von Ammon and Pearl Carter participate in cooperative learning during science class at South Eugene High School on Dec. 11, 2023. | EMILY GREEN/THE LUND REPORT

With two landmark bills, Oregon charts new course on youth drug prevention

After a decade of failing to equip vulnerable youth with tools to fight addiction pressures, state officials must now craft a statewide strategy for prevention, treatment and recovery for Oregonians up to age 26.

Jun 27
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MARGARET FLATLEY FOR PROPUBLICA

Congress is pushing for a Medicaid work requirement. Here’s what happened when Georgia tried it

Georgia found administrative costs significantly higher than anticipated, and Georgia and Arkansas found many enrollees unable to clear sign-up and verification hurdles

Jun 27

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

Drugmaker audit is a setup, OHSU says

With drugmakers fighting to limit drug discounts that hospitals and other providers rely on, Johnson & Johnson has launched an audit of what it calls unusual activity — but university lawyers say it’s a PR ploy with ‘calamitous’ results

Jun 26
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The Oregon Health Authority's headquarters in Salem in November, 2023. | JAKE THOMAS/THE LUND REPORT

Federal grant cuts drive layoffs at Oregon Health Authority

Already 10 people working to prevent the spread of disease have been notified their jobs are going away, and more are expected despite an increased budget

Jun 26
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Hospitals, providers effort to win lawsuit protections passes just under the wire

Critics said it will hurt victims, but a bill to exempt hospitals and others from product liability litigation crossed the finish line on Friday, the last day of the legislative session. The bill appeared dead on Thursday.

Jun 26
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