Ben Botkin

Last year, Dr. Dean Sidelinger warned of surging cases of the delta variant. Cases now are of a less threatening type. | KRISTIAN FODEN-VENCIL/OPB

Oregon Health Authority Managing COVID-19 Without More Mandates

Oregon health officials expect the current wave of COVID-19 cases will not lead to new statewide restrictions to reduce spread.

May 19, 2022

Dr. Jeff Absalon, the health system’s chief physician executive, discussed layoffs Wednesday, May 18, in a Zoom press conference./The Lund Report

Citing Financial Losses, St. Charles Health System Lays Off Staff

Central Oregon provider will lay off 105 non-clinical employees but says services will be maintained.

May 18, 2022
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BAY AREA HOSPITAL IN COOS BAY./COURTESY OF BAY AREA HOSPITAL

Oregon Nurses Association Files Labor Complaint Over Raises

A unilateral pay hike is under scrutiny as the nurses union negotiates a contract on behalf of nearly 300 nurses at Bay Area Hospital in Coos Bay.

May 17, 2022
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PHYUSIN MYINT BEGAN IN APRIL AS CHIEF DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION OFFICER FOR HEALTH SHARE OF OREGON, A REGIONAL COORDINATED CARE ORGANIZATION THAT PROVIDES HEALTH CARE TO ABOUT 400,000 LOW-INCOME RESIDENTS OF CLACKAMAS, MULTNOMAH AND WASHINGTON COUNTIES UNDER THE OREGON HEALTH PLAN/COURTESY OF HEALTH SHARE OF OREGON

Q&A: Phyusin Myint Takes Key Position At Health Share Of Oregon

Myint will promote diversity, equity and inclusion at Health Share of Oregon, which oversees health care for about 400,000 low-income people in Clackamas, Multnomah and Washington counties under the Oregon Health Plan.

May 17, 2022
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U.S. Rep. Kurt Schrader. | COURTESY OFFICE OF CONGRESSMAN KURT SCHRADER

Health Care Is Center Stage In Congressional Primary, Critics Blast Schrader’s Record

Rep. Kurt Schrader is wrong to take credit for Medicare drug price reforms, say Oregon practitioners.

May 12, 2022
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Oregon State Hospital in Salem. | BEN BOTKIN/THE LUND REPORT

Feds Threaten Decertification Of Oregon State Hospital's Junction City Campus

The state-run mental hospital must improve patient safety at its satellite campus or it will lose eligibility for Medicare funding, inspectors warn.

May 9, 2022
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Providence St. Vincent Medical Center in southwest Portland. | M.O. STEVENS/WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

Providence St. Vincent Nurses Vote To Authorize Strike

The potential walkout at the Portland hospital would be the first nurses’ strike for Providence Health & Services, the largest provider in Oregon.

May 5, 2022
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Johnson & Johnson's COVID vaccine. | SHUTTERSTOCK

Oregon Faces Class-Action Lawsuit After Vaccine Data Release

A state employee sued the Department of Administrative Services after it inadvertently released the vaccination status of more than 40,000 state employees.

May 3, 2022
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Oregon State Hospital in Salem. | BEN BOTKIN/THE LUND REPORT

Oregon National Guardsman Removed From Oregon State Hospital Duty

State investigators found a Guard member engaged in unprofessional conduct, records show.

Apr 26, 2022
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CANDIDATES IN THE 2022 RACE FOR OREGON GOVERNOR./COURTESY PHOTOS/THE LUND REPORT

Oregon’s Gubernatorial Candidates On Health Care

From the state’s addiction crisis to a public option, here’s how top contenders would address health care issues if elected.

Apr 23, 2022
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