Nick Budnick

A patient receives dry needle therapy on their ankle. | SHUTTERSTOCK

Physical therapy expansion bill sparks concerns for acupuncturists, chiropractors

A bill that would let PTs administer vaccines, order imaging and engage in manipulation is headed to a vote on the Senate floor

May 20, 2025
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Felisa Hagins, executive director of the Oregon State Council of the Service Employees International Union was among several panelists to challenge the status quo qhen it comes to health care cost. Also pictured (left to right) are Charlotte Flood, CEO, Northwest Primary Care; Jack Friedman, former CEO, Providence Health; Dr. Tracy Muday, executive medical director, Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon; and Sarah Bartelmann, cost programs manager, Oregon Health Authority. Not pictured is Sean Kolmer, Hospital Association of Oregon executive vice president. | NICK BUDNICK/THE LUND REPORT

Oregon health care cost hikes prompt calls for collaboration, change

An expert panel on Tuesday agreed recent cost-growth hikes are unsustainable, calling for more collaboration, creativity and action

May 7, 2025

Tents in downtown Portland on March 14, 2022. | SHUTTERSTOCK

'Administrative collapse:' Advocates blame evictions on new Oregon Health Authority housing program

People and providers have spent months trying to tap a new program intended to support health by keeping people out of homelessness, and they say that in the Portland area it's turned into a bureacratic nightmare in which the promised help often does not arrive in time

May 1, 2025
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PHOTO COPYRIGHT PORTLAND TRIBUNE; PHOTO USED WITH PERMISSION.

Congress should embrace Oregon-style reforms, Kitzhaber says

The former Oregon governor is working with Republican Cliff Bentz to advance ideas to limit harm from Medicaid cuts and instead promote savings in the costly program. He argues the time is now for Democrats to seize the high ground, but top members of the Oregon delegation say Republicans can't be trusted.

Apr 29, 2025
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An employee of the Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services helps a consumer pick a health care plan on the federal online health insurance marketplace. | DEPARTMENT OF CONSUMER AND BUSINESS SERVICES

Oregon health insurers, state officials fret as premium subsidies face cuts in Washington, D.C.

Republicans’ push in Washington, D.C. to cut health coverage subsidies would drive up the average marketplace premium in Oregon by about 70%; and additional hikes in Oregon could make it far worse

Apr 22, 2025
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Rachel Solotaroff at Portland's Old Town Clinic. | COURTESY CENTRAL CITY CONCERN

Trump turmoil leads to delay of Oregon's biggest procurement process

Officials in Oregon will pause the contracting process for the care of more than 1 million low-income Oregonians, citing uncertainty in the federal Medicaid program

Apr 17, 2025
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OHSU Doernbecher Children's Hospital has a level 1 pediatric trauma center. | OHSU/CHRISTINE TORRES HICKS

Advisory board’s surprise vote against OHSU’s takeover of Legacy is not final

A community review board’s unexpected 5-0 vote to recommend the state block OHSU’s purchase of Legacy will be considered by program staff, but is not binding

Apr 8, 2025
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A view of OHSU's South Waterfront campus in September 2024. | JAKE THOMAS/THE LUND REPORT

OHSU ties to key players in its merger review reflect a larger problem, some say

State officials defend their work. But conflict-of-interest concerns raised about two members of a state review board — as well as the consultant leading its efforts— show that shortcomings of a high-stakes state program have not been addressed, a former state health official says.

Apr 4, 2025

A hallway in OHSU's main campus in Portland in September 2024 | JAKE THOMAS/THE LUND REPORT

State review of OHSU takeover of Legacy Health nears recommendation

A review board on Monday will consider whether to recommend state approval of the proposed merger between Oregon Health & Science University and Legacy Health. Critics say the newly dominant health care powerhouse in greater Portland would inevitably jack up costs, but supporters say it would help care.

Mar 28, 2025
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A FLU VACCINATION BEING GIVEN./PHOTO COPYRIGHT: PORTLAND TRIBUNE (USED WITH PERMISSION)

Oregon public health programs hit with $117 million in surprise federal cuts

Trump administration's abrupt halt to grants worth $12 billion around the country has state and local agencies contemplating layoffs and cuts to programs combatting diseases such as tuberculous, mpox and the flu

Mar 27, 2025