Jake Thomas

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Lawmakers consider revising Oregon’s health care cost-growth target

Inflation, the pandemic as well as labor and pharmaceutical costs cast doubt on the feasibility of the state’s cap on health care expenses

Apr 4, 2023
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The closure of Legacy's Mount Hood birth center was marked with a vigil on March 17, 2023. | JAKE THOMAS/THE LUND REPORT

Oregon Health Authority denies Legacy’s request to close Gresham maternity unit

Health officials accused Legacy of creating a staffing problem and signaled the health system could face penalties for the closure

Mar 29, 2023
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State Rep. Rob Nosse, D-Portland, testifies to the Oregon House Behavioral Health and Health Care Committee about a bill he sponsored to overhaul Measure 110 on March 28, 2023. | JAKE THOMAS/THE LUND REPORT

Lawmakers seek fixes to Oregon’s drug decriminalization law

Legislation seeks to streamline the grant process envisioned in Measure 110 while better supporting its oversight council

Mar 29, 2023
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Inside Good Samaritan Hospital in Portland. | LYNNE TERRY/THE LUND REPORT

Unions, hospitals strike larger deal around minimum staffing compromise

Compromise on nurse-to-patient ratios includes union support for other hospital-backed bills

Mar 28, 2023
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Members of the Oregon House of Representatives on March 21, 2023. | JAKE THOMAS/THE LUND REPORT

Lawmakers seek pause on new Oregon Health Plan contracts

Oregon is modifying its unique Medicaid system while resuming member eligibility checks

Mar 28, 2023
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Oregon Capitol in Salem. | JAKE THOMAS/THE LUND REPORT

Key deadline brings Oregon lawmakers’ priorities into focus

But uncertainty hovers over how to pay for more health care workers and mental health services

Mar 27, 2023
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Bill would tighten charity care rules for Oregon hospitals

Recent reports claim Oregon hospitals have hounded patients who should instead be offered help

Mar 22, 2023
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Oregon State Hospital in Salem. | OREGON HEALTH AUTHORITY

Marion County Sheriff won’t transport patients from Oregon State Hospital

The office is citing three state judges’ decisions that contradict the federal judge’s ruling

Mar 22, 2023
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Legacy’s closure of the maternity unit at its Mount Hood Medical Center in Gresham, Ore., follows weeks of pushback and was marked with a candlelight vigil on March 17, 2023, outside the hospital that critics organized. | JAKE THOMAS/THE LUND REPORT

State investigates Legacy’s Gresham maternity unit closure

The health system says the closure was safe, but it didn’t get prior Oregon Health Authority approval

Mar 21, 2023
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Christine Reeh, a licensed therapist, tells the Oregon House Behavioral Health and Health Care Committee on Tuesday, March 14, 2023, how insurance auditing practices threaten to reduce access to mental health treatment services. | OLIS SCREEN GRAB/THE LUND REPORT

Bill seeks to shield Oregon mental health providers from costly audit practices

Therapists told a legislative committee insurance audits are driving them out of business, but the fix may conflict with federal law

Mar 16, 2023
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