Hospitals

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PacificSource headquarters is located in Springfield, Oregon. | COURTESY PHOTO

PacificSource lays off 29, will largely pull out of Washington

The Springfield, Oregon—based regional insurer says provider consolidation is making it harder to keep health care costs down — and challenging to expand its footprint. It will focus on its Oregon, Idaho and Montana markets instead.

Mar 28, 2024
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A picture of Rogue Regional Medical Center in 2007. At the time it was known as Rogue Valley Medical Center. | BY NICKNELSON/ENGLISH WIKIPEDIA VIA WIKIMEDIA COMMONS.

Number of patient deaths connected to Asante investigation may grow

The total number of patients thought to have died in connection with drug diversion in Medford remains unverified. But two lawyers say they've heard from dozens of additional potential victims and families.

Mar 14, 2024
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Oregon State Capitol in Salem. | JAKE THOMAS/THE LUND REPORT

Oregon legislative session’s early end closed curtain on significant health care bills

Bills concerning treatment centers, violence against hospital staff, school health and insurance mandates perished, but other impactful bills made it through

Mar 12, 2024
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A picture of Rogue Regional Medical Center in 2007. At the time it was known as Rogue Valley Medical Center. | BY NICKNELSON/ENGLISH WIKIPEDIA VIA WIKIMEDIA COMMONS.

Nurse accused in Asante wrongful death suit denied wrongdoing

Before the filing of an $11.5 million suit alleging that fentanyl theft led to a fatal infection, a Medford RN said she did nothing wrong and was cooperating: ‘The truth will, I’m sure, come out.’

Feb 27, 2024
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St. Charles Health System in Bend. | COURTESY OF ST. CHARLES HEALTH

New lawsuit accuses St. Charles Health of charity care violations

The new suit filed by a Bend resident hopes to win class-action status against the Central Oregon health system, which denies wrongdoing.

Feb 23, 2024
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State Rep. Ed Diehl, R-Scio, shown at the Oregon State of Reform Health Policy Conference on Nov. 14, 2023 in Portland. Diehl is sponsoring a bill to overhaul the state’s health care professional licensing process. (Left) State. Rep. Rob Nosse, D-Portland, and (right) Rep. Thuy Tran, D-Portland. | JAKE THOMAS/THE LUND REPORT

Task force would tackle Oregon health care licensing delays

Legislation intended to provide a short-term fix for staffing shortages has turned into an effort to dig into oft-cited problems in Oregon’s certification agencies

Feb 22, 2024
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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

New push to make hospital worker assault a felony sparks familiar concerns

Lawmakers are again debating whether stiffer penalties for assaulting hospital workers would criminalize people for mental illness

Feb 20, 2024
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SHUTTERSTOCK

At some Oregon hospitals, inpatient psychiatric units face uncertain future

Hospital behavioral health units are chronic money losers because insurers fail to cover the full cost of care

Feb 13, 2024

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Oregon Senate leaders spoke to reporters about their priorities for a 2024 legislative session expected to focus on addressing housing and behavioral health. From left: Senate Minority Leader Tim Knopp, Senate President Rob Wagner and Senate Majority Leader Kate Lieber. | JAKE THOMAS/THE LUND REPORT

Oregon Legislature’s 2024 session looks packed with health care

Lawmakers will take up major health care issues in the five-week session as well as potential Measure 110 changes

Feb 6, 2024
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SHUTTERSTOCK

Oregon has huge shortage of treatment beds, consultant finds

Despite recent investments of more than $1.5 billion into Oregon’s behavioral health system, the state falls far short of what it needs to meet demand for treatment, according to a new report

Feb 1, 2024
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