Housing & Poverty

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Stabbin’ Wagon holds regular outreach events at Medford’s Hawthorne Park, which has seen issues with drug use and camping among unsheltered people. Melissa Jones, the group’s leader, was arrested at the park during sweeps of homeless encampments in 2020. | JAKE THOMAS/THE LUND REPORT

Facing backlash over $1.5 million state grant, Stabbin’ Wagon speaks out

New friction surfaces in Medford as Oregon tries to set up respite centers for people in mental health crisis

Sep 12

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Wildfire smoke covers the Ochocos Mountains in Central Oregon on Aug. 18, 2020. | JAKE THOMAS/THE LUND REPORT

Timeline for Oregon Health Plan coverage of housing, food, climate benefits unveiled

Oregon will be the first state to use Medicaid dollars to ease the impacts of climate change on its residents

Sep 7
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SHUTTERSTOCK

Plan for crisis stabilization in Portland shifts amid uncertainty

Citing challenges to setting up a large crisis stabilization center, the county is looking for providers to run smaller sobering and stabilization programs

Jun 15
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MOHAMED HASSAN/PIXABAY

Oregon hospitals’ reported 'community benefit' grew in 2021

Most of the reported $2 billion was derived from serving Medicaid and Medicare patients — only 15% was actual charity care

Jun 6
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SHUTTERSTOCK

House passes bill to boost Oregon hospitals’ charity care

Reports of tax-exempt hospitals hounding poor patients for payment prompted lawmakers to consider toughening Oregon’s charity care requirements

Apr 25
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The proposed site of Heritage Square, which would have included supportive housing, in downtown Astoria. The city council voted down the project over its cost and concerns from a vocal group of critics. | CITY OF ASTORIA

Stalled bill would clear way for more residential mental health treatment

Oregon lawmakers say they want more residential treatment facilities, but a bill intended to make it easier to build them faces uncertainty

Apr 25
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SHUTTERSTOCK

Bill would tighten charity care rules for Oregon hospitals

Recent reports claim Oregon hospitals have hounded patients who should instead be offered help

Mar 22
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The Red Lion Inn & Suites in Seaside was purchase by CareOregon so it could be converted into housing for health care workers, as well as people with behavioral health needs. | COURTESY OF CAREOREGON

Hotel will become housing for health care workers on Oregon Coast

Results from the CareOregon project could bolster argument for Medicaid-funded workforce housing

Mar 16
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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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