Access & Quality

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Jordan Morelli, a supervisor at the David Romprey Oregon Warmline, pauses in between calls. Morelli has worked at the warmline for about nine years, taking calls from people who need help talking through mental health struggles. | COURTESY COMMUNITY COUNSELING SOLUTIONS

Oregon ‘warmline’ provides record mental health support, but cuts loom

State officials have called the service ‘essential’ and a money-saver, but want others in the fragmented behavioral health system to step up with funding

Oct 3, 2023
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St. Charles Health System in Bend. | COURTESY OF ST. CHARLES HEALTH

15,000 seniors can keep plans after St. Charles, PacificSource reach deal

Announced shortly before open enrollment begins, the deal affects PacificSource members, but the Central Oregon hospital system has not yet reached Medicare Advantage agreements with Humana, HealthNet and WellCare

Sep 29, 2023

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PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center University District in Eugene, Ore. | COURTESY OF PEACEHEALTH

Kotek urges PeaceHealth to delay Eugene emergency department closure for 9 months

In a meeting with executives, Kotek offered collaboration and a new look at some rates in return for more time; spokesperson says system will “continue discussions” on ED closure date

Sep 22, 2023
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Becky Hultberg, president and CEO of the Oregon Association of Hospitals and Health Systems, speaks at a bill signing event in Salem, Ore., on Aug. 15, 2023. | JAKE THOMAS/THE LUND REPORT

Oregon hospital leader Becky Hultberg talks unions, finances and emerging from COVID

As hospitals across the state face unprecedented challenges, the industry group CEO sits down to discuss an uncertain future

Sep 14, 2023
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Oregon Recovers co-founder and director, Mike Marshall (at right), speaks at an Oregon Recovers event last year. Tony Vezina, founder and director of 4D Recovery stands at left. | COURTESY OREGON RECOVERS

Advocates urge bold action to address Oregon’s addiction crisis

Oregon Recovers wants state officials to declare a state emergency and mobilize a response that includes temporary field services, immediate access to care and changes to Measure 110

Sep 13, 2023
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Oregon State Hospital in Salem. | OREGON HEALTH AUTHORITY

Marion County sues Oregon State Hospital over treatment

Seeking home turf after a federal court ruling, Marion County wants a local court to find that the state is not fulfilling its duties to patients and the public

Sep 12, 2023

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During a rally at PeaceHealth's University District hospital in Eugene on Sept. 11, 2023, Oregon Nurses Association executive director Anne Tan Piazza addresses the crowd. | CHRISTIAN WIHTOL/THE LUND REPORT

Pressure grows on PeaceHealth to keep Eugene hospital open

Despite outcry from community leaders and workers, the health system shows no sign of changing course, and officials may have scant authority to prevent closure

Sep 12, 2023
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A Fred Meyer store in Tigard, Oregon. Kroger owns the Fred Meyer brand. | TADA IMAGES/SHUTTERSTOCK

Kroger-Albertsons merger could harm Oregon pharmacy access

With rural access to health care and pharmacies a hot topic, a national deal is getting closer scrutiny from the state’s relatively new health care merger review program

Sep 7, 2023
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SHUTTERSTOCK

Health insurance rates going up for nearly 300,000 Oregonians

State regulators signed off on health insurance rate increases that ranged from roughly 2% to 12.4%

Sep 5, 2023
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Oregon State Hospital in Salem. | BEN BOTKIN/THE LUND REPORT

Jail wait times for people experiencing mental illness plummet

Court-ordered Oregon State Hospital discharge deadlines are having an effect, group says

Aug 29, 2023
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