Nick Budnick

AKKALAK AIEMPRADIT/SHUTTERSTOCK

St. Charles may cut ties with Medicare Advantage plans that cover more than 20,000 seniors

Seniors who depend on the Central Oregon health system’s network could face higher premiums and should start researching new plans as open enrollment begins in October.

Aug 14, 2023
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PIXABAY

Multnomah County dentists picket over proposal to increase patient numbers

Dentists at the county's safety-net dental clinics use lighter schedules one day a week to catch up on paperwork and tackle tougher cases; now they say the county wants to end that practice.

Aug 10, 2023
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COURTESY OF SAINT ALPHONSUS.

New temp nurses offer hope for Baker City birth center's future

Saint Alphonsus Medical Center-Baker City put new temp nurses to work helping with deliveries this week. Meanwhile, community members await word on longer-term federal help to avert the birth center's Aug. 26th closure, which could threaten lives.

Aug 3, 2023
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COURTESY OF SAINT ALPHONSUS.

Saint Alphonsus may delay closure of birth center in Baker City

State officials say they don't have the ability to block the closure on safety concerns, as they did with Legacy Health earlier this year

Jul 20, 2023
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SHUTTERSTOCK

Oregon joins fraud settlement over pain management clinic’s unnecessary procedures

California-based chain had a clinic in east Portland, was accused of billing patients for procedures they did not want or need

Jul 18, 2023
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LUND REPORT ILLUSTRATION/SHUTTERSTOCK

State extends discussion of cost impacts of Basic Health Program

Records show state officials honed “talking points” while negotiating “firestorm” of media attention

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

Federal judge makes changes to Oregon State Hospital rules

Lack of capacity at the state’s premier psychiatric facility continues to put the state in violation of a federal order, but a judge’s changes may help

Jul 6, 2023