Nick Budnick

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SHUTTERSTOCK

New Vaccine Safety Study Could Answer Lingering Questions

A Kaiser Permanente researcher says her large-scale four-year study in the Portland and Seattle areas will help track a virus that’s still evolving.

Aug 9, 2022

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JEREMY VANDEHEY IS LEAVING THE OREGON HEALTH AUTHORITY TO HEAD OREGON OPERATIONS FOR THE INSURER PACIFICSOURCE HEALTH PLANS./COURTESY PHOTO

Vandehey Leaving Oregon Health Authority

Vandehey served as the policy point person for the Oregon Health Authority after serving as an advisor to Gov. Kate Brown.

Jul 27, 2022
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People without insurance often use emergency rooms for health care which drives up costs. | LYNNE TERRY/OREGON CAPITAL CHRONICLE

State Blasts Legacy Health's Challenge to Meal Break Rules

At stake is potentially more than $100 million in fines for Legacy, a Portland-based health system of six hospitals around the state, based on violations found by the state Bureau of Labor and Industries.

Jul 26, 2022
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SHUTTERSTOCK

Oregon Device Manufacturer Biotronik Pays $12.95 Million To Settle Whistleblower Case

Two sales reps for the Lake Oswego—based company accused it of using Hawaii trips, sports tickets, wine-tastings and bogus payments to induce surgeons to use its defibrillators and pacemakers; the firm denied wrongdoing.

Jul 23, 2022
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PeaceHealth faces a whistleblower complaint filed by a nursing assistant who complained about low staffing levels at Cottage Grove Medical Center, stayed home and was fired./Photo courtesy of PeaceHealth

Faced With Low Staffing, A Hospital Nursing Assistant Stayed Home — And Eventually Was Fired

A certified nursing assistant stayed home when staffing levels seemed too low and complained to the state; PeaceHealth later fired him.

Jul 21, 2022
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Patrick Allen. | COPYRIGHTED IMAGE REPRINTED WITH PERMISSION FROM THE PORTLAND TRIBUNE

Oregon Health Authority Responds to Conservative Media Barrage

Misleading commentaries triggered a backlash of ‘hate’ by taking out of context a line from an email calling urgency ‘a white supremacy value.’

Jul 19, 2022
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Providence St. Vincent Medical Center in southwest Portland. | M.O. STEVENS/WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

Nurses At Providence St. Vincent Approve Deal, Averting Strike

Nurses at the major Washington County hospital approved a new contract, meaning 1,600 nurses employed there won't strike.

Jul 15, 2022

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OHSU Hospital on Marquam Hill. | LYNNE TERRY/THE LUND REPORT

Judge Fines OHSU Over Public Records Delay

Oregon Health & Science University improperly delayed the release of public records and unlawfully retained documents concerning the constitutionally protected activities of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, a judge ruled.

Jul 7, 2022

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Courtesy photo.

Q&A: Ken Provencher Retiring from PacificSource Health Plans

The CEO and president of PacificSource Health Plans is stepping down in March, the regional Springfield-based insurer recently announced.

Jul 5, 2022
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Protesters gather at the U.S. Supreme Court on May 3, 2022, after a report that the court will overturn Roe v. Wade, ending the constitutional right to abortion. | SHUTTERSTOCK

In Abortion Access Fight, Oregon’s Merger Law Is A Tool Unlike Any Other

Washington lawmakers want to emulate Oregon’s new health care merger law to preserve abortion access in the wake of the Supreme Court ruling.

Jun 28, 2022
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