Ben Botkin

Gov. Kate Brown. | JAIME VALDEZ/PORTLAND TRIBUNE

Oregon Faces A Moment Of Reckoning With COVID-19

Gov. Kate Brown announces new restrictions to curb a worrying spike in cases that has put Oregon in a “dangerous” situation.

Nov 13, 2020

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Hospitalizations Tied to Drug Use On the Rise, Study Finds

The increase in hospitalizations from 2008 to 2018 underscores the need for the state to find new ways to treat and prevent addiction, researchers said.

Nov 12, 2020

SHUTTERSTOCK

Oregon Hospitals Brace For Surging COVID-19 Caseloads

Hospitals still have enough capacity to treat patients, but the rising number of cases prompt officials to carefully monitor the availability of beds.

Nov 9, 2020
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Vaping appears to be on the rise. | KRISTIAN FODEN-VENCIL/OPB

Election Likely To Hand Budget Writers $330 Million, Mostly For Medicaid

The revenue is projected to stem from the passage of Measure 108, which raises tobacco taxes and creates a new tax on vaping products.

Nov 5, 2020

SHUTTERSTOCK

Oregon Voters Reframe The War on Drugs

Oregon is the first state to decriminalize possession of small amounts of hard drugs and legalize psychedelic mushrooms for medical treatment in clinical settings.

Nov 4, 2020
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An Oregon Health Authority streamed announcement of the latest COVID-19 toll on Facebook drew widespread ridicule.

Oregon Health Authority Makes Change After Ridicule Over COVID-19 Clown Video

The video, streamed live on Facebook, showed a sad-faced clown announcing the days pandemic case count and death toll.

Nov 3, 2020
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SHUTTERSTOCK

Oregon Has Small Black Population But Share Of Black Providers Is Smaller

Policymakers and advocates say that the state needs to attract more minorities to the health care industry to rectify an imbalance.

Nov 2, 2020
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PeaceHealth, Vancouver - Medical Center Physician's Building. | COURTESY PEACEHEALTH

Washington State Prepares For COVID-19 Surge

The state’s hospitals are below maximum capacity for the moment, with COVID-19 patients in 3% of hospital beds.

Oct 29, 2020

Pandemic Exacerbates Oregon’s Addiction Crisis: Overdose Deaths Rise 70%

“The realization that we will be dealing with COVID-19 for some time, and other stressors related to jobs, school and social isolation, may increase feelings of anxiety and depression,” an expert said.

Oct 27, 2020