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Elderly woman in wheelchair, with relatives

Jewell Thomas with her daughter, Angela Jemmott. Jemmott and her brothers pay $4,000 a month for home health aides who are not covered under Thomas’ long-term care insurance policy. | BRYAN MELTZ/THE NEW YORK TIMES

Why long-term care insurance falls short for so many

The few insurers still selling long-term policies keep raising premiums, forcing policyholders to pay more, pare benefits, or drop coverage altogether

Nov 28, 2023

Older woman with adult disabled son in a wheelchair

Melissah Watts, 66, and her son Max, 38. Melissah cares for her son, Max, full-time. | COURTESY OF SEIU 775

Into a caregiving void: Family members fill crucial role providing long-term care

AARP estimates there are 820,000 total family caregivers in Washington delivering 770 million hours of care annually

Nov 28, 2023

Anne Palm visits with her parents, Donald and Florence Reiners, at the Waters of Excelsior, an assisted living facility outside Minneapolis. Donald Reiners has since had to move away from his wife to a less expensive facility. | TIM GRUBER/NEW YORK TIMES

Extra fees drive assisted living profits

About 850,000 older Americans reside in assisted living facilities, which have become one of the most lucrative branches of the long-term care industry

Nov 22, 2023

PIXABAY

More newborn shots for RSV come to Oregon, but won’t meet demand, officials say

Nov 22, 2023

PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center in Vancouver, Washington, on Aug. 7, 2013. | RYTYHO USA/WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

PeaceHealth to refund millions to low-income patients in Washington, but not Oregon

The health system settled a state investigation of its five Washington hospitals that found unlawful billing of thousands of patients it knew qualified for charity care

Nov 21, 2023
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U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden, center, speaks about the multibillion-dollar advertising campaigns on behalf of Medicare Advantage plans during an event Monday, Nov. 20, 2023, sponsored by the Urban League of Portland at the Hattie Redmond Apartments in North Portland. | PETER WONG/©PAMPLIN MEDIA GROUP USED HERE WITH PERMISSION

Wyden, advocates urge help for those beset by Medicare add-on choices

The senator urges people to help the seniors in their lives this Thanksgiving holiday who are getting bombarded with calls from scammers taking advantage of open enrollment this time of year

Nov 21, 2023
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Rural Clackamas County in Oregon. | SHUTTERSTOCK

Crisis hotline opens for farmers, ranchers, loggers and fishermen in Oregon

The Agristress Helpline is free and has trained counselors with experience in the callers' industries who can take phone calls in 160 languages

Nov 21, 2023

Stabbin’ Wagon holds regular outreach events at Medford’s Hawthorne Park, which has seen issues with drug use and camping among unsheltered people. Melissa Jones, the group’s leader, was arrested at the park during sweeps of homeless encampments in 2020. | JAKE THOMAS/THE LUND REPORT

Despite criticisms, Stabbin’ Wagon signs contract with health authority

The Medford nonprofit will provide a new, non-clinical mental health service even after clashing with local officials. The status of other contracts remains uncertain.

Nov 21, 2023