Nick Budnick

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Portland, Oregon. | SHUTTERSTOCK

Shortages of funds but not of issues marked Oregon health care in 2024

With health care undergoing rapid transformation, officials and lawmakers have struggled to keep up as ripple effects hit patients, providers and members of the public

Dec 31, 2024
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Nurses and other health care workers along with their supporters took to the picket lines outside Providence Portland Medical Center on Monday as the state’s largest nurses union called a five-day strike. | JAKE THOMAS/THE LUND REPORT

Nurses union brandishes new clout in Providence contract showdown

The Oregon Nurses Association says Providence Health is focused on profits over patients, while the health system maintains the union is all about power. The union is vowing that its growing numbers will yield a better deal after members go on strike at eight Oregon hospitals on Jan. 10.

Dec 30, 2024
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The Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace is a state portal that connects individuals to health insurance and potential federal subsidies to help pay for it. | HEALTHCARE.OREGON.GOV/THE LUND REPORT

Oregon insurance website project was halted over bidder-consultant connection, records show

A high-profile, legislatively-mandated Oregon health insurance website contracting process was scrapped after an Oregon Health Authority consultant evaluating bids was linked to one of the bidders. Now state officials are trying to get things back on track.

Dec 19, 2024

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Providence Portland Medical Center. | M.O. STEVENS/CC BY 3.0/WIKIMEDIA

Oregon will review Providence's handoff of hospice, home health to private equity-backed firm

State's decision follows concerns raised by Oregon Nurses Association, but Providence denies trying to side-step Oregon review

Dec 17, 2024
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A view of OHSU's South Waterfront campus in September 2024. | JAKE THOMAS/THE LUND REPORT

Health care community divided on OHSU-Legacy merger as opposition grows

As comments pour in to the state's merger review team, current and former employees and providers, as well as patients, are making their views known — providing a cross-section of opinion, though so far opposition appears to outstrip support

Dec 5, 2024
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DR. BRIAN DRUKER/OREGON HEALTH & SCIENCE UNIVERSITY

Q&A: Star researcher Brian Druker says OHSU has lost its way

Dr. Druker, who pioneered the development of the life-saving leukemia drug Gleevec, says he's concerned that rapid growth and financial pressures have sapped Oregon Health & Science University's ability to pioneer cutting-edge, life-saving therapies.

Dec 3, 2024

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SHUTTERSTOCK

New Oregon rules capping health care temp agency rates spark mixed feelings

The state of Oregon is capping rates that temp agencies can charge for nurses and nursing assistants, but some feel the caps are too high

Nov 26, 2024
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Oregon Health & Science University | MICHAEL MCDERMOTT/OHSU

OHSU launches gene-editing trial to address heart problem

Ken Hawkins, 77, may have received an experimental drug on Oct. 31, or a placebo. Either way, he's the first Oregon participant in a first-ever trial of a gene-editing infusion added to the bloodstream to stop the worsening of a potentially fatal heart condition.

Nov 21, 2024
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SHUTTERSTOCK

State halts health insurance website contracting amid fairness concerns

The legislatively mandated project will be delayed after state officials last week canceled a contracting process amid undisclosed concerns. They say they'll start a new one immediately.

Nov 19, 2024

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Oregon Health & Science University at night. | OHSU/CHRISTINE TORRES HICKS

OHSU paused live-pig training for OB/GYN residents after ‘many’ opted out

Records indicate a years-long pressure campaign by animal rights activists may be bearing fruit, and in light of the pause the group PETA says it will temporarily stop protesting at board meetings

Nov 12, 2024
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