Jake Thomas

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OREGON MEDICAL GROUP IS A MAJOR PROVIDER IN LANE COUNTY,/CHRISTIAN WIHTOL/THE LUND REPORT

Optum legal tactics endanger Oregonians, lawmakers say

Amid a primary care shortage, a Eugene lawmaker and others want the health care giant to stop enforcing contracts that prevent doctors from providing care in the area after they quit

Apr 25, 2024

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Anesthesiologist sues Salem surgery center for $1.6 million

A dispute with nursing staff led to a doctor’s firing by Optum-owned Northbank Surgical Center; he says it was for whistleblowing

Apr 23, 2024
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Members of Oregon's Universal Health Plan Governance Board meet for the first time in Salem on April 16, 2024. From left, Dr. Helen Bellanca, the board's chair; Dr. Bruce Goldberg, a veteran public health official; Debra Diaz, a physicians associate; Warren George, a retired businessman and the board's vice-chair. | JAKE THOMAS

Ambitious Oregon universal health board launches amid questions

After Gov. Kotek raised questions over its justification, appointed board will try to forge clear, specific answers to how the state could succeed where others have not

Apr 18, 2024
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Legacy Health Good Samaritan Medical Center in Northwest Portland, Ore., on July 30, 2023. | JAKE THOMAS/THE LUND REPORT

Legacy Health CEO Kathryn Correia announces retirement

The outgoing head of the beleaguered Portland-based hospital system cites stress, medical needs and a suggestion from a ‘friend.’ Dr. George Brown, her predecessor, will replace her as the system mulls a merger with OHSU.

Apr 17, 2024
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PeaceHealth, Vancouver - Medical Center Physician's Building. | COURTESY PEACEHEALTH

Vancouver nurses eye Oregon’s new hospital staffing law

Across the Columbia River, nurses at PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center want Oregon-style staff levels in their union contract. They plan to picket outside their hospital on Thursday.

Apr 16, 2024
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Nurses union sees snag with hospital staffing law about to take effect

After pushing for the new nurse-to-patient ratios, the union is concerned by the state's proposed rules dictating how they’ll play out in emergency departments

Apr 11, 2024
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Kevin Heinrich, a licensed practical nurse, at a workstation at Mirabella Portland’s skilled nursing facility on Feb. 13, 2023. Nurses and other health care workers have become increasingly hard to find after the pandemic. | JAKE THOMAS/THE LUND REPORT

Nurses in rural Oregon take home better pay, study finds

A new study by the Oregon Center for Nursing suggests hiring outside Portland area shouldn’t be so tough and that retaining nurses is about more than wages

Apr 9, 2024
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A view of the Oregon State Hospital in Salem on Nov. 21, 2023. | JAKE THOMAS

'Super-lawyer' backs Marion County in Oregon State Hospital appeal

A different judge has once again denied an effort by Marion County to steer state psychiatric discharge policies in a new direction. Now prominent conservative attorney Jim Bopp is entering the fray.

Apr 9, 2024
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More women sue Salem pathology lab, alleging false breast cancer diagnoses

Following a wave of earlier suits, the litigation blames additional companies and doctors for women undergoing unnecessary chemotherapy

Apr 4, 2024
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A view of the Oregon State Hospital spire from the courtyard on Nov. 21, 2023. | JAKE THOMAS

Marion County, crime victims ask new judge for more say on Oregon State Hospital case

Federal case managing the state psychiatric institution draws new motions citing public safety concerns

Apr 1, 2024
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