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YEONHEE LEE/PIXABAY

Legislation seeks stable funding for new 988 crisis hotline

The bill would establish a new cell phone tax to fund a hotline that advocates and lawmakers say is key to rebuilding Oregon’s mental health services. 

Feb 7, 2023
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OREGON HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES IN SALEM./PHOTOATELIER/WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

Bills seek $185 million for local public health and behavioral health workers

Despite previous funding approved by the Oregon Legislature, proponents say the spending is needed to shore up a workforce teetering on collapse. 

Feb 2, 2023
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CareOregon. | COURTESY OF CAREOREGON

State should delay CareOregon-SCAN merger, urges prominent health care leader

John Santa, a longtime Oregon Health Policy Board member, says the risks deserve more study.

Feb 1, 2023
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Emily Savage and Michael Daher, who manage Myrtle Drugs in Myrtle Creek, told the House Behavioral Health and Health Care Committee during an online hearing on Jan. 24, 2023, that pharmacy benefit managers' business practices are destabilizing independent pharmacies. | SCREENGRABS VIA OLIS.OREGONLEGISLATURE.GOV/THE LUND REPORT

Drug supply companies squeezing pharmacies out of existence, Oregon lawmakers warn

Seven bills, featuring bipartisan support, aim to clamp down on pharmacy benefit managers.

Jan 26, 2023
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OHSU Hospital on Marquam Hill. | LYNNE TERRY/THE LUND REPORT

Bucking bottom-line gloom, OHSU racks up surprise profits as patient revenues soar

Meanwhile, stock and bond market investment portfolio gains help drive OHSU’s net worth to $4 billion.

Jan 23, 2023
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SHUTTERSTOCK

Oregon hospitals boost charity care spending but patients face barriers: report

The state’s first look at hospitals’ new community spending requirements was mixed, finding some progress but also roadblocks for needy patients.

Jan 5, 2023
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Amazon's purchase of clinics in Oregon must undergo state review. Pictured, an Amazon Prime Air Boeing 737-800(BCF) freighter on final approach to JFK Airport. | ADAM MOREIRA (AEMOREIRA042281)/WIKIMEDIA CREATIVE COMMONS

Oregon OKs Amazon plan to buy chain of medical clinics

Because One Medical’s presence in Oregon is small, the purchase will not likely affect prices or patient access, state regulators conclude.

Jan 3, 2023
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Amazon's purchase of clinics in Oregon must undergo state review. Pictured, an Amazon Prime Air Boeing 737-800(BCF) freighter on final approach to JFK Airport. | ADAM MOREIRA (AEMOREIRA042281)/WIKIMEDIA CREATIVE COMMONS

Amazon’s One-Medical deal sparks opposition from Oregon residents, groups

Critics say Amazon’s practice of maximizing profits and treating workers poorly would bode ill for owning a health care clinic network.

Dec 16, 2022
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MADONNA MCGUIRE SMITH, HEAD OF PACIFIC NORTHWEST BLEEDING DISORDERS, AND HER FAMILY EARLIER THIS YEAR./COURTESY PHOTO

Patient groups back bill to protect benefits of pharma copay programs

High drug costs, under-the-radar insurer policies can put patients in a bind as hefty copays mount.

Dec 15, 2022
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CareOregon. | COURTESY OF CAREOREGON

CareOregon to combine with California-based health care nonprofit 

Leaders of the combined entity say concerns are unfounded as they aim to use pooled purchasing power to boost services and fend off larger for-profit competitors. 

Dec 14, 2022
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