Access & Quality

Image

SHUTTERSTOCK

Flawed breast cancer tests sparked unnecessary chemotherapy, lawsuits claim

Six Oregon women have sued a prominent Salem pathology lab saying they were diagnosed with a potentially aggressive variety of breast cancer they didn’t actually have.

Dec 22, 2022
Premium

Image

Amazon's purchase of clinics in Oregon must undergo state review. Pictured, an Amazon Prime Air Boeing 737-800(BCF) freighter on final approach to JFK Airport. | ADAM MOREIRA (AEMOREIRA042281)/WIKIMEDIA CREATIVE COMMONS

Amazon’s One-Medical deal sparks opposition from Oregon residents, groups

Critics say Amazon’s practice of maximizing profits and treating workers poorly would bode ill for owning a health care clinic network.

Dec 16, 2022
Premium

Image

MADONNA MCGUIRE SMITH, HEAD OF PACIFIC NORTHWEST BLEEDING DISORDERS, AND HER FAMILY EARLIER THIS YEAR./COURTESY PHOTO

Patient groups back bill to protect benefits of pharma copay programs

High drug costs, under-the-radar insurer policies can put patients in a bind as hefty copays mount.

Dec 15, 2022
Premium

Image

Amazon's purchase of clinics in Oregon must undergo state review. Pictured, an Amazon Prime Air Boeing 737-800(BCF) freighter on final approach to JFK Airport. | ADAM MOREIRA (AEMOREIRA042281)/WIKIMEDIA CREATIVE COMMONS

Amazon’s Proposal To Buy Large Medical Clinic System Faces Oregon Review

The $3.9 billion deal includes five One Medical clinics in the Portland metro area.

Dec 1, 2022
Premium

Image

Salem Hospital | BEN BOTKIN/THE LUND REPORT

Former Salem Health Official Claims Retaliation

Dr. Jefferson Loa had glowing reviews until he began following up on concerns that some doctors were neglecting patient care.

Nov 29, 2022
Premium

Image

SHUTTERSTOCK

Oregon Voters Make Health Care A Right, Approve Measure 111

The new law, giving individuals the right to sue over health care adequacy, won by 23,000 votes.

Nov 15, 2022
Premium

Image

SHUTTERSTOCK

Feds Will Penalize 21 Oregon Hospitals For High Readmissions

Too many Medicare patients returned within days of discharge for common conditions, leading to penalties.

Nov 8, 2022
Premium

Image

Nurses at Legacy Health Good Samaritan Hospital in Portland. | LYNNE TERRY/THE LUND REPORT

Nurses’ Union Bill Would Set Minimum Staffing Levels For Hospitals

Hospital officials say boosting staffing minimums would lead to increased financial losses and fewer staffed beds for patient care.

Nov 2, 2022
Premium

Image

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

OHSU Manager Told Nurse To Staff Shifts With A ‘Fiscal Lens,’ Not Just A Safety One

An OHSU charge nurse was investigated for her “tone” when raising patient safety concerns, prompting the Oregon Nurses Association to file a complaint.

Nov 1, 2022
Premium

Image

Bay Area Hospital in Coos Bay. | COURTESY OF BAY AREA HOSPITAL

In Novel Tactic, Labor Unions Target Coos Bay Hospital Board For Recall

Two union-represented groups of workers push to oust publicly-elected board members accused of mismanaging the nonprofit hospital.

Oct 25, 2022
Premium