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CareOregon is among 16 coordinated care organizations in Oregon serving Medicaid members. | LYNNE TERRY/THE LUND REPORT

CareOregon’s wealth in spotlight as merger nears key review

CareOregon has grown rapidly and of late has drawn scrutiny for high profits. Though its leadership says its financial success may not last, critics don’t want control of the nonprofit’s $1 billion portfolio of cash and investments to leave Oregon

Jan 13, 2024

Patrick Allen. | COPYRIGHTED IMAGE REPRINTED WITH PERMISSION FROM THE PORTLAND TRIBUNE

CareOregon merger draws opposition from former top Oregon health official

On the eve of a key state recommendation, Patrick Allen, the Oregon Health Authority's former director, said he hasn't seen a 'compelling argument' that Oregonians' interests are served by CareOregon's proposed merger into a California-based entity. The nonprofit Portland-based insurer oversees care for 500,000 low-income members of the Oregon Health Plan.

Jan 12, 2024

CareOregon. | COURTESY OF CAREOREGON

Q&A: CEOs defend CareOregon merger plans, balk at specifics

Leaders of a California-based Medicare Advantage plan called SCAN Group and CareOregon, the Portland-based insurer that oversees government-funded care for 500,000 low-income Oregonians, said criticisms of their proposed merger don't recognize its benefits or the risks of inaction. The companies haven't disclosed long-term plans due to antitrust rules, they said — but growth is the goal.

Jan 9, 2024

AKKALAK AIEMPRADIT/SHUTTERSTOCK

Asante settled Medicare fraud allegations at Medford hospital

The health system now at the center of a local police investigation recently resolved a lengthy federal probe into a whistleblower lawsuit claiming fraudulent billing

Jan 9, 2024
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Pictured: the North Albany building of The Corvallis Clinic, P.C. | COURTESY OF THE CORVALLIS CLINIC, P.C.

Health care giant wants to buy locally-owned Corvallis Clinic chain

UnitedHealth Group would pay undisclosed sum for 11-clinic system

Jan 2, 2024
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Portland, Oregon. | SHUTTERSTOCK

Even without a pandemic, health care was wild in 2023

It was a year in which the health care community had hoped to recuperate. Instead, Oregon and southwest Washington saw major changes affecting workers, patients, insurers, state officials and health systems.

Dec 21, 2023

Providence Portland Medical Center. | M.O. STEVENS/CC BY 3.0/WIKIMEDIA

Anesthesiologist shortage at Providence raises concerns over private equity

Surgeries were cancelled after Providence Health switched its contract to Sound Physicians and cut ties with an Oregon provider-owned company

Dec 19, 2023
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SHUTTERSTOCK/THE LUND REPORT

Hundreds of millions are being siphoned out of Oregon Health Plan

With more withdrawals on the horizon, some health leaders say it’s time to curb the flow of profits being pulled out of the state’s health program for low-income Oregonians

Dec 19, 2023

PHOTO COPYRIGHT PORTLAND TRIBUNE; PHOTO USED WITH PERMISSION.

Former Oregon governor John Kitzhaber opposes CareOregon merger

Influential health leader says the Oregon nonprofit's absorption by a California Medicare insurer would undermine care for low-income people. Leadership of the two entities say the critics are off-base.

Dec 14, 2023
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A patient room at the OHSU Center for Women's Health | COURTESY OF OHSU

OHSU privatizing fertility services as San Francisco company opens clinic in Portland

OHSU will lay off some employees and 'lease’ physicians to Spring Fertility when the private equity—backed firm opens a new facility in Northwest Portland, potentially meaning a smaller waitlist for would-be parents

Dec 12, 2023
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