Money Flow

Image

MOHAMED HASSAN/PIXABAY

Counselors, therapists want limits on audits by health insurers and the state

Providers say audits are unfairly demanding costly repayment of very old claims — but health insurers say the proposed new rules would be unworkable

Apr 3
Premium

Image

A FLU VACCINATION BEING GIVEN./PHOTO COPYRIGHT: PORTLAND TRIBUNE (USED WITH PERMISSION)

Oregon public health programs hit with $117 million in surprise federal cuts

Trump administration's abrupt halt to grants worth $12 billion around the country has state and local agencies contemplating layoffs and cuts to programs combatting diseases such as tuberculous, mpox and the flu

Mar 27

Image

Oregon State Hospital in Salem, Oregon, on Nov. 21, 2023. | JAKE THOMAS/THE LUND REPORT

State wants hospitals to pay more to support the program investigating them

Oregon health officials are asking lawmakers to support a bill that would increase hospital licensing fees by a factor of five to improve outreach and oversight. They'd still be less than in Washington state, but hospital officials say the move would further burden struggling facilities.

Mar 18
Premium

Image

SHUTTERSTOCK

Price-fixing claims multiply against Regence BlueCross BlueShield, other Blues insurers

The Blues say the allegations are baseless, but suits against them are mounting — with Regence hit with 10 federal suits in 48 hours — as a national $2.8 billion settlement splinters

Mar 6
Premium

Image

SHUTTERSTOCK

Salem Health-Regence split turns spotlight on insurance company wealth

Power struggles, pressure tactics and public brinksmanship in recent disputes between health insurers and providers — such as hospitals — are all about money. Insurers have it, and providers want more of it.

Mar 4
Premium

Image

A view of OHSU's South Waterfront campus from its main campus on Marquam Hill. | JAKE THOMAS/THE LUND REPORT

Wyden, Merkley, Bonamici join OHSU scientists to raise alarms over medical research cuts, others

A Trump administration effort to trim existing medical grants would carve as much as $80 million from Oregon Health & Science University, block life-saving research and cost jobs, critics say. Members of Oregon's congressional delegation want the public to speak out.

Feb 14

Image

Dr. Jane Zhu of Oregon Health & Science University examined billings for gastroenterology care before and after practices are acquired finding a boost in costs. | COURTESY OF OHSU/CHRISTINE TORRES HICKS

Study: Private equity takeovers boost billings, fees

A new study co-authored by OHSU researcher Jane Zhu drilled down on the bills issued by gastroenterologists after private equity buys their practices, finding a 78% jump in professional fees for colonoscopies and other care

Feb 11
Premium

Image

Nurses and other health care workers picket outside of Providence St. Vincent Medical Center in January, 2025. | JAKE THOMAS/THE LUND REPORT

Bill would force hospitals to disclose spending during strikes

After Providence nurses at eight hospitals rejected union-negotiated contract terms, the health system continues to pay an estimated $25 million a week on replacement workers

Feb 11
Premium

Image

PIXABAY

Consultant vows to ‘zero in’ on Oregon prison care denials in wake of blistering report

A consultant hired by Oregon prison officials to look into a scathing outside review said his firm will operate with transparency and objectivity. An attorney specializing in representing people denied care said a pattern of outrageous decisions in recent years calls for a more in-depth review.

Feb 4
Premium

Image

Mid-Columbia Medical Center in The Dalles is tentatively being absorbed by California-based Adventist Health. | PHOTO BY LARVICK MEDIA/COURTESY OF MCMC

Unions, care groups want appeals court to preserve Oregon health care merger oversight

As consolidation continues, the program has brought large health care transactions into focus. But a challenge over its constitutionality continues

Jan 28
Premium