Hospitals

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A pile of flowers and a note eulogizing Bobby Smallwood, a security officer for Legacy Health, sit outside the Good Samaritan Medical Center, where he was killed during a confrontation on July 30, 2023. | JAKE THOMAS/THE LUND REPORT

Oregon lawmakers seek stiffer charges for assaults on hospital workers

Many states consider assaults on medical workers a felony, but efforts to follow suit in Salem have foundered on civil rights concerns

Oct 26, 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

PeaceHealth to issue layoff notices with its Eugene hospital emergency department closing Dec. 1

Unions, Kotek claim some victories with an urgent care clinic, behavioral health unit slated to remain at University District hospital site, but the system rebuffed Kotek's request to delay its ER closure, citing financial losses

Oct 24, 2023
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Nurses represented by the Oregon Nurses Association through the Association of University Registered Nurses and their supporters crowded into Elizabeth Caruthers Park on Sept. 18, 2023 to announce they were prepared to strike as negotiations with Oregon Health & Science University remain at a stalemate. | JAKE THOMAS/THE LUND REPORT

Nurses union signals more scrutiny of OHSU after executive bonuses dispute

The university won’t give bonuses to highly paid vice presidents, but the union said it will continue to push back on spending decisions

Oct 12, 2023
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Oregon Health & Science University | MICHAEL MCDERMOTT/OHSU

Nurses union and OHSU reach tentative deal on new contract

The agreement, which the union calls “historic,” allows further bargaining on Oregon Health & Science University’s proposed merger with Legacy Health.

Sep 26, 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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Oregon Health & Science University Center for Health and Healing Building 2 in the South Waterfront neighborhood, July 2020. | SHUTTERSTOCK

OHSU reports strong profits, but cites fast-rising wages and drug costs

Encouraging results come as nurses increase pressure in contract bargaining

Sep 19, 2023
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Members of the Association of University Registered Nurses rallied on Portland's South Waterfront Sept. 18, 2023, announcing they had approved a strike as negotiations with Oregon Health & Science University remain at a stalemate. | JAKE THOMAS/THE LUND REPORT

OHSU nurses vote to authorize strike

No strike is imminent, but the vote increases pressure on hospital management as contract bargaining drags on

Sep 18, 2023
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SEIU Local 49 President Meg Niemi speaks during an event Thursday Sept. 14, 2023 in Southeast Portland with over 100 union members and supporters. | JAKE THOMAS/THE LUND REPORT

Potential strike looms at Kaiser Permanente as employees approve work stoppage

The strike authorization vote is intended to increase pressure on the health care consortium as workers seek better pay and staffing

Sep 14, 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 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