Nick Budnick

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A critical care nurse at OHSU receives a vaccine during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. | COURTESY OHSU

Oregon performs better in health equity, but disparities remain

A new national state scorecard confirms dramatic inequities, finds regional variations

Apr 23, 2024
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SHUTTERSTOCK

State: New and expecting parents with chickens should consider infection risks

A new Oregon study highlights a case investigated with Crook County in which the baby was born 150 miles away from the chickens that infected it — but had to be readmitted due to a serious Salmonella infection just days later

Apr 16, 2024

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Partners in Care, Inc is a nonprofit hospice provider that runs the only inpatient facility of its kind in Oregon east of the Cascades.

Central Oregon hospice sues feds over challenged Medicare claims

One of a declining number of nonprofit hospice providers, Partners In Care leaders have successfully defended the vast majority of disputed claims. Now they've sued to erase the rest while challenging government methods, in a case that could have 'huge ramifications.'

Apr 11, 2024
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The Oregon Health Authority headquarters in Salem on Nov. 8, 2023. | JAKE THOMAS

Oregon maternal health employee indicted in Texas

An Oregon Health Authority employee has been accused of exporting marijuana to a Texas crime ring

Apr 9, 2024
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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)

Q&A: Ron Wyden says more Medicare reform needed

Senior Oregon Senator calls for more progress on marketing abuses, scrutiny of health care consolidation

Apr 3, 2024
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PacificSource headquarters is located in Springfield, Oregon. | COURTESY PHOTO

PacificSource lays off 29, will largely pull out of Washington

The Springfield, Oregon—based regional insurer says provider consolidation is making it harder to keep health care costs down — and challenging to expand its footprint. It will focus on its Oregon, Idaho and Montana markets instead.

Mar 28, 2024
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Tobacco companies sue to snuff out Oregon's new ‘equity assessment’

Companies are challenging a new state law in court, saying payments to account for the health effects of cigarettes would be unfair and unconstitutional

Mar 28, 2024
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Providence Portland Medical Center. | M.O. STEVENS/CC BY 3.0/WIKIMEDIA

Oregon DOJ goes to court for Providence Health documents

Citing evidence that the hospital system may have improperly billed poor Oregonians, DOJ is demanding more documents. Providence says it has already provided 100,000 records.

Mar 22, 2024
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SAMARITAN PACIFIC COMMUNITIES HOSPITAL IN NEWPORT./VISITOR7/CC BY-SA 3.0/WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

Former Samaritan Health exec claims state contract violations

Melissa Isavoran claims the regional insurer contracted by the state to oversee care for low-income people fired her for flagging violations, but the health plan declines comment

Mar 14, 2024
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FRITZ LIEDTKE/OHSU

Oregonians 65 or old urged to get second COVID vaccine

Preliminary research suggests good staying power for the first dose of the updated vaccine, but state and federal officials recommend seniors play it safe in light of their increased vulnerability

Mar 5, 2024