Access & Quality

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Oregon State Capitol in Salem. | JAKE THOMAS/THE LUND REPORT

Oregon House passes bills removing dental assistant testing requirements

Backers of the bills say tests have become a stumbling block for attracting more needed dental assistants

Apr 6, 2023
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SHUTTERSTOCK

Lawmakers consider revising Oregon’s health care cost-growth target

Inflation, the pandemic as well as labor and pharmaceutical costs cast doubt on the feasibility of the state’s cap on health care expenses

Apr 4, 2023
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The closure of Legacy's Mount Hood birth center was marked with a vigil on March 17, 2023. | JAKE THOMAS/THE LUND REPORT

Oregon Health Authority denies Legacy’s request to close Gresham maternity unit

Health officials accused Legacy of creating a staffing problem and signaled the health system could face penalties for the closure

Mar 29, 2023
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State Rep. Rob Nosse, D-Portland, testifies to the Oregon House Behavioral Health and Health Care Committee about a bill he sponsored to overhaul Measure 110 on March 28, 2023. | JAKE THOMAS/THE LUND REPORT

Lawmakers seek fixes to Oregon’s drug decriminalization law

Legislation seeks to streamline the grant process envisioned in Measure 110 while better supporting its oversight council

Mar 29, 2023
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Inside Good Samaritan Hospital in Portland. | LYNNE TERRY/THE LUND REPORT

Unions, hospitals strike larger deal around minimum staffing compromise

Compromise on nurse-to-patient ratios includes union support for other hospital-backed bills

Mar 28, 2023
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LUND REPORT ILLUSTRATION/SHUTTERSTOCK

Oregon universal health insurance proposal draws praise, fire

Bill would task a new board to craft a single health plan covering all 4 million Oregonians

Mar 21, 2023
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The Red Lion Inn & Suites in Seaside was purchase by CareOregon so it could be converted into housing for health care workers, as well as people with behavioral health needs. | COURTESY OF CAREOREGON

Hotel will become housing for health care workers on Oregon Coast

Results from the CareOregon project could bolster argument for Medicaid-funded workforce housing

Mar 16, 2023
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Activists on Feb. 13, 2023, protested the proposed closure of Mount Hood Family Birth Center in Gresham. | JAKE THOMAS/THE LUND REPORT

State threatens ‘regulatory actions’ if Legacy closes Gresham hospital maternity unit without approval

Citing red ink, Legacy plans to push ahead with closure of the facility despite state concerns and newly introduced legislation

Mar 15, 2023
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Oregon lawmakers consider bill to boost community-based mental health treatment beds

An estimated $271 million could create nearly 600 residential beds to treat Oregonians with substance use or mental health disorders

Mar 14, 2023
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Activists on Feb. 13, 2023, protested the proposed closure of Mount Hood Family Birth Center in Gresham. | JAKE THOMAS/THE LUND REPORT

East County lawmakers urge state to block Legacy’s closure of Gresham birth center

Lawmakers’ letter contends an ‘unsafe’ care model sought by the health system for the maternity unit caused a wave of staff to exit

Mar 13, 2023
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