Health Equity

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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
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Legacy’s closure of the maternity unit at its Mount Hood Medical Center in Gresham, Ore., follows weeks of pushback and was marked with a candlelight vigil on March 17, 2023, outside the hospital that critics organized. | JAKE THOMAS/THE LUND REPORT

State investigates Legacy’s Gresham maternity unit closure

The health system says the closure was safe, but it didn’t get prior Oregon Health Authority approval

Mar 21
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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
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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
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Dr. Win Kyin worked in primary care in Myanmar before fleeing the country, but she ran into roadblocks when she tried to get licensed to practice medicine in the U.S. Kyin pictured here on March 3 at the IRCO Pacific Islander and Asian Family Center. | JAKE THOMAS/THE LUND REPORT

Bill seeks to clear path for health workers trained abroad

Supporters say people with health care expertise from abroad could ease Oregon's staffing shortages

Mar 9
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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

Legacy Health sticks to tight timeline for closing Mount Hood birth center

Legacy indicates it may start diverting ambulances from Mount Hood birth center in just 10 days despite the state’s warning of potential sanctions

Mar 7
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Oregon Capitol in Salem. | JAKE THOMAS/THE LUND REPORT

Bill allowing Oregon Health Authority to access patient immigration data advances

The agency’s legislation to improve data showing health inequities will be pared down in the face of opposition

Mar 2
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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

Legacy Health still needs approval to shutter a Gresham birth center on March 17

Records show a quick approval is possible, but Legacy’s plan differs from an earlier one the Oregon Health Authority approved

Mar 2
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Tents line a street in inner Southeast Portland on Feb.14, 2021. | SHUTTERSTOCK

Decision to deny tents to homeless people sparks health concerns

Health effects of cold weather exist even when cold-weather shelters are not open, experts say

Feb 23
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