Jake Thomas

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The Oregon Capitol in Salem, Ore. on March 21, 2023. | JAKE THOMAS/THE LUND REPORT

Bill targets health care cost-control measure critics call discriminatory

Legislation passed both houses to ban ‘quality of life’ considerations in state health coverage for low-income people. Critics say doing so undermines efforts to limit drug prices.

Feb 29, 2024
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State Rep. Ben Bowman, D-Tigard, and former Gov. John Kitzhaber testified in favor a bill limiting private equity and other business interests involvement in health care during a February 26, 2024 hearing of the Oregon Senate Health Committee. | JAKE THOMAS/THE LUND REPORT

Doctors weigh in on bill to curb private equity in health care

Some doctors support bill, while others oppose; former governor says opponents speak for big business

Feb 27, 2024
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St. Charles Health System in Bend. | COURTESY OF ST. CHARLES HEALTH

New lawsuit accuses St. Charles Health of charity care violations

The new suit filed by a Bend resident hopes to win class-action status against the Central Oregon health system, which denies wrongdoing.

Feb 23, 2024
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State Rep. Ed Diehl, R-Scio, shown at the Oregon State of Reform Health Policy Conference on Nov. 14, 2023 in Portland. Diehl is sponsoring a bill to overhaul the state’s health care professional licensing process. (Left) State. Rep. Rob Nosse, D-Portland, and (right) Rep. Thuy Tran, D-Portland. | JAKE THOMAS/THE LUND REPORT

Task force would tackle Oregon health care licensing delays

Legislation intended to provide a short-term fix for staffing shortages has turned into an effort to dig into oft-cited problems in Oregon’s certification agencies

Feb 22, 2024
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A pile of flowers and a note eulogizing Bobby Smallwood, a security officer for Legacy Health, sit outside the Good Samaritan Medical Center, where he was killed during a confrontation on July 30, 2023. | JAKE THOMAS/THE LUND REPORT

New push to make hospital worker assault a felony sparks familiar concerns

Lawmakers are again debating whether stiffer penalties for assaulting hospital workers would criminalize people for mental illness

Feb 20, 2024
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The Capitol Building in Salem. | JAKE THOMAS/THE LUND REPORT

Lawmakers want to scrap state approval needed for many new health care facilities

New psychiatric, rehabilitation and long-term care facilities must prove their services are needed, but critics and supporters disagree on the certification system’s effects

Feb 15, 2024
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PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center at RiverBend in Springfield. | CHRISTIAN WIHTOL/THE LUND REPORT

Eugene lawmaker hopes to cut ambulance delays in wake of hospital closure

Patients are waiting longer to get care in the wake of University District hospital’s closure in Eugene, and Rep. Nancy Nathanson wants to fund an ambulance to change that

Feb 13, 2024
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The Oregon Capitol in Salem, Ore. on March 21, 2023. | JAKE THOMAS/THE LUND REPORT

Oregon lawmakers want answers on insurance mandates’ cost, coverage

Oregon lawmakers considered more than 20 requirements on insurance coverage since 2021. A bill would create a panel tasked with answering how future mandates affect health care.

Feb 8, 2024
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Flanked by former Oregon Health Authority Director Bruce Goldberg and former Gov. John Kitzhaber, Rep. Ben Bowman on Wednesday addressed members of the House Committee on Behavioral Health and Health Care. | JAKE THOMAS/THE LUND REPORT

Bill to curb private equity in health care draws heavyweight backing

Top health care reformers including former Gov. John Kitzhaber back legislation, but telemedicine provider says it will deter investment

Feb 7, 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, Regence rate dispute heats up

The Portland-based health system says it needs more money from Regence to cover increased labor and supply costs

Feb 6, 2024
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