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A sign in a bed of flowers reads The Heights at Columbia Knoll, with a building in the background on well kept landscape.

TWO SENIORS DIED DURING THE JUNE 2021 HEATWAVE WHILE RESIDING AT THE HEIGHTS AT COLUMBIA KNOLL ON NORTHEAST SANDY BOULEVARD IN PORTLAND./JAKE THOMAS/THE LUND REPORT

Senior Living Complex Sued Over One of Two Deaths During June Heatwave

Two seniors died from heat on the fourth floor of the supported living facility. The son of one filed suit, alleging management knew his mother had dementia but failed to check on her.

Oct 19, 2021
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The Oregon Health Authority in Salem. | OREGON HEALTH AUTHORITY

Oregon: Lawsuit Against Vaccine Requirement Is Based on ‘Internet Conspiracy Theories’

COVID-19 vaccine requirement for health care and state employment is not coercion, state says in response to lawsuit filed in federal court.

Oct 18, 2021
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AUG. 19, 2021: KARLA MAYORGA, RN, TENDS TO A PATIENT. EVERY PERSON WHO WAS IN THIS INTENSIVE CARE UNIT AT OREGON HEALTH AND SCIENCE UNIVERSITY IN PORTLAND WAS CRITICALLY ILL WITH COVID-19./KRISTYNA WENTZ-GRAFF/OPB

Oregon Health Authority Punts Question Of How To Ration Care In A Crisis

The state agency has repeatedly dodged questions from providers about which patients should be prioritized, instead offering general 'principles'

Oct 18, 2021

LYNNE TERRY/THE LUND REPORT

Portland To Create First-Responder Program For Low-Level Medical Calls

The Community Health, Assess and Treat Program, or CHAT, is expected to start mid-November with two pilot teams.

Oct 14, 2021

NATALIA MERZLYAKOVA/FOTOLIA

Surprise-Billing Rule ‘Puts A Thumb On The Scale’ To Keep Arbitrated Costs In Check

The No Surprises Act takes effect Jan. 1 and will protect patients against surprise medical bills for out-of-network treatment, but unintended consequences are unknown.

Oct 14, 2021

IMAGE BY SSPIEHS3/PIXABAY

Hospital Chaplain Provides Respite For Health Care Workers Exhausted Amid Pandemic

As one of three chaplains at St. Anthony Hospital in Pendleton, Ann Marie Hardin’s job is to walk around the hospital and talk to health care workers.

Oct 14, 2021

A bill to increase the penalties for assaulting hospital workers died on the desk of Oregon Senate President Peter Courtney, who has long championed equity in mental health services. | JONATHAN HOUSE/PAMPLIN MEDIA GROUP

Oregon Funds ‘Historic’ $500M For Mental Health Services

Half a billion is OK’d, but leader says ‘we're not doing enough’ until it’s treated like other health care.

Oct 14, 2021
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OREGON STATE CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION IN SALEM, ORE., MAY 19, 2021./KRISTYNA WENTZ-GRAFF/OPB

As The Deadline Nears, Oregon Department Of Corrections Employees Are 50% Vaccinated

So far, the agency has approved exemptions for nearly 16% of its workforce, which corrections officials said were largely for religions reasons.

Oct 14, 2021

ANNALISA BIRT, LEFT, TALKS WITH GOV. KATE BROWN AT A DRIVE-THRU COVID-19 VACCINATION CLINIC AT PORTLAND INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, APRIL 9, 2021./KRISTYNA WENTZ-GRAFF/OPB

Unions Win Six Week COVID Vaccine Reprieve For Most Oregon Government Workers

Employees represented by SEIU Local 503 and AFSCME Council 75 who have received at least one dose of vaccine by Oct. 18 must now complete their immunization by Nov. 30.

Oct 14, 2021