Aging

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Sterling Hanakahi, 73, and Anita Hanakahi, 70, of Tillamook say they were blindsided when Texas-based U.S. Renal Care executives announced they would close their kidney dialysis center in the coastal community Feb. 23. Anita has relied on the center for the past nine years. For her and 10 other local patients, she said, local dialysis treatment is a matter of life and death. | COURTESY OF ANITA HANAKAHI

Tillamook dialysis closure has patients fearing the worst

Sudden closure of rural Oregon facility by Texas firm leaves patients lacking options for crucial life-saving care

Feb 7, 2024

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CareOregon. | COURTESY OF CAREOREGON

Q&A: CEOs defend CareOregon merger plans, balk at specifics

Leaders of a California-based Medicare Advantage plan called SCAN Group and CareOregon, the Portland-based insurer that oversees government-funded care for 500,000 low-income Oregonians, said criticisms of their proposed merger don't recognize its benefits or the risks of inaction. The companies haven't disclosed long-term plans due to antitrust rules, they said — but growth is the goal.

Jan 9, 2024

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STEFAN SCHWEIHOFER/PIXABAY

Oregon residential care facilities say a new law is making them look bad

The number of facilities in Oregon with red flags on their license has tripled in the last two years, but lobbyists say they are technical violations

Nov 9, 2023
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STEFAN SCHWEIHOFER/PIXABAY

Portland-area senior sues Mutual of Omaha over repeated denials

Despite frequent falls, dementia and other concerns, the insurer has denied coverage of assisted living, according to the suit

Nov 2, 2023
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Oregon Health & Science University at night. | OHSU/CHRISTINE TORRES HICKS

OHSU, Aetna may cut ties, potentially affecting thousands of seniors

University says insurer has been slow to raise pre-pandemic rates, threatening provider reimbursements

Oct 24, 2023
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St. Charles Health System in Bend. | COURTESY OF ST. CHARLES HEALTH SYSTEM

St. Charles cuts ties with 3 Medicare Advantage plans as enrollment looms

Starting in 2024, the Central Oregon health system will no longer be considered in-network for Humana, HealthNet and WellCare — affecting about 6,000 seniors

Oct 10, 2023
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Kevin Heinrich a licensed practical nurse at a workstation at Mirabella Portland’s skilled nursing facility. Nurses and other health care workers have become increasingly hard to find after the pandemic. | JAKE THOMAS/THE LUND REPORT

Reactions split on nursing home staffing measure in Oregon

Dozens of Oregonians have commented on new federal rules

Oct 5, 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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St. Charles Health System in Bend. | COURTESY OF ST. CHARLES HEALTH SYSTEM

St. Charles Health ‘encouraged’ by Medicare Advantage negotiations

The system says it’s listening to community concerns over care for 26,000 people in Central Oregon

Aug 31, 2023
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U.S. Rep. Andrea Salinas. | COURTESY OF ANDREA SALINAS

Salinas’ bill would expand federal coverage of behavioral health services

Medicare and Medicaid recipients face barriers to accessing mental health and addiction services

Aug 24, 2023
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