Jake Thomas

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The OHSU Center for Health & Healing Building 2 in the South Waterfront neighborhood in Portland, Oregon, on July 25, 2020. | SHUTTERSTOCK

Oregon lawmakers further ease proton therapy coverage despite lingering debate

Bill tweaks law prohibiting insurers from denying high-cost cancer treatment

May 18, 2023
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Activists on Feb. 13, 2023, protested the proposed closure of Mount Hood Family Birth Center in Gresham. | JAKE THOMAS/THE LUND REPORT

Legacy’s Gresham maternity unit closure endangered patients, federal regulators say

Blistering federal notice says Legacy’s Gresham-based hospital could lose Medicare payments unless it corrects findings of patient safety violations

May 11, 2023
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Oregon State Hospital in Salem. | BEN BOTKIN/THE LUND REPORT

Federal judge considers changes to state hospital discharge order

Changes seek to resolve a conflict between state and federal authorities that prompted the Marion County sheriff to stop transporting discharged Oregon State Hospital patients

May 11, 2023
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Oregon State Hospital in Salem. | OREGON HEALTH AUTHORITY

Proposed fixes for Oregon State Hospital stall in Legislature

Spending measures and legislation to address long-running litigation over the state’s behavioral health system face an uncertain future 

May 9, 2023
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SHUTTERSTOCK

Pre-pandemic health care spending exceeded Oregon’s goal, says report

As officials and providers prepare for health spending caps, a new report shows what’s driving the cost increases that are hitting households hard

May 4, 2023
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U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden at a July 9, 2022 event in Portland. | PHOTO COPYRIGHT: PAMPLIN MEDIA GROUP/PETER WONG (USED WITH PERMISSION)

‘Ghost’ providers abundant in Oregon, Washington, Senate report finds

Oregon Sen. Ron Wyden said patients who pay for Medicare Advantage plans can’t reach mental health providers, and vowed to take action

May 4, 2023
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The Capitol Building in Salem. | JAKE THOMAS/THE LUND REPORT

Lawmakers again try softening Oregon’s health care cost controls

Unions and hospitals agree labor costs should not count toward the state spending growth cap, but critics are concerned about the new bill

May 2, 2023
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MARCELO IKEDA TCHELÃO/PIXABAY

Task force bill links wine, beer revenue to behavioral health spending

Bill seeks to spark conversation on alcohol’s toll on Oregon – and a possible tax hike

Apr 27, 2023
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The west plaza at Oregon State Hospital in Salem. | COURTESY OREGON HEALTH AUTHORITY

Hospitals' lawsuit over psychiatric admissions faces scrutiny in court

Oregon hospital systems say they’re saddled with patients who should be in the state hospital, but a federal judge questions the validity of their argument

Apr 26, 2023
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SHUTTERSTOCK

House passes bill to boost Oregon hospitals’ charity care

Reports of tax-exempt hospitals hounding poor patients for payment prompted lawmakers to consider toughening Oregon’s charity care requirements

Apr 25, 2023
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