Latest News

OHSU Doernbecher Children's Hospital has a level 1 pediatric trauma center. | OHSU/CHRISTINE TORRES HICKS

Advisory board’s surprise vote against OHSU’s takeover of Legacy is not final

A community review board’s unexpected 5-0 vote to recommend the state block OHSU’s purchase of Legacy will be considered by program staff, but is not binding

Apr 8
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People affected by mental illness speak to legislators

Mathew Padrow (left), Denise Darby (center) and Hunter Graham (right) testify in support of changes to Oregon's civil commitment law to the Oregon House Judiciary Committee on April 3, 2025. | JAKE THOMAS/THE LUND REPORT

Coalition's push to change Oregon’s civil commitment law faces opposition

Kotek-backed bill has support from hospitals and law enforcement and the medical community, while behavioral health advocates are split

Apr 8
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New Trump cut affects Astoria hospital tsunami project

A new round of federal cuts has local officials scrambling to assess the future of a community “refuge” expansion under way at Columbia Memorial Hospital

Apr 8
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STEFAN SCHWEIHOFER/PIXABAY

Dementia care facilities would have to meet new state standards under WA bill

The bill follows an informal study that found that about 237 assisted living facilities in Washington offered memory or specialized dementia care but had different services

Apr 8

Baker County in eastern Oregon. | IAN POELLET/CC BY-SA 3.0/WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

Rural hospitals question whether they can afford Medicare Advantage contracts

Some rural hospitals have canceled — or are considering ending — contracts with insurance companies that offer Medicare Advantage plans, saying the private policies jeopardize their finances and impede patient care.

Apr 8

SHUTTERSTOCK

Columbia River Mental Health announces new CEO amid nearly $6M shortfall

The struggling mental health services provider in Vancouver hopes the new CEO will help address financial problems and reopen facilities

Apr 8

A view of OHSU's South Waterfront campus in September 2024. | JAKE THOMAS/THE LUND REPORT

OHSU ties to key players in its merger review reflect a larger problem, some say

State officials defend their work. But conflict-of-interest concerns raised about two members of a state review board — as well as the consultant leading its efforts— show that shortcomings of a high-stakes state program have not been addressed, a former state health official says.

Apr 4
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Lane County is seeking to expand Mobile Crisis Services to 24/7 coverage by this summer. | LANE COUNTY BEHAVIORAL HEALTH

Lane County's Mobile Crisis services to expand, as White Bird makes cuts to CAHOOTS

Mobile Crisis Services of Lane County works to deescalate people experiencing mental health crises and connect them with social services, sometimes in cooperation with law enforcement, and hopes to expand its services to 24-7 this summer.

Apr 3

UNSPLASH

For people with higher body weights, abortions can be more costly or out of reach

For the past decade, the body mass index formula has been used to deny or delay abortion care, despite researchers finding little evidence of increased adverse outcomes based on higher body weight alone.

Apr 3