Money Flow

The Measure 110 Oversight and Accountability Council discusses during its July 3, 2024 meeting a new formula for grants that is intended to set a funding floor for rural counties. | SCREENSHOT

Measure 110 spending plan means Portland area will lag despite size, diversity

New rules to help rural counties mean the Portland region will receive an estimated $13 million a year in recovery services less than what its population calls for, showing challenges in funding for recovery services

Jul 9, 2024
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SHUTTERSTOCK

State needs to spend $850 million on behavioral health beds over five years, report says

Inpatient psychiatric care gaps fuel racial and geographic disparities, according to an OHA-contracted study

Jul 1, 2024

The Behavioral Health Resource Center at 333 SW Park Avenue in Portland on Nov. 16, 2022. | EMILY GREEN/THE LUND REPORT

County health and social services contracts need better oversight, auditors say

Multnomah County's contract oversight practices need revamping to ensure people are getting the services they need, according to a report issued by Auditor Jennifer McGuirk. County officials say they're working on it.

Jun 27, 2024
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State Behavioral Health Director Ebony Clarke said she thinks the state needs to be audacious and bold when it comes to improving care for low-income Oregonians. | SCREENSHOT, OREGON HEALTH FORUM

Oregon behavioral health fissures add costs and block access, panel says

Oregon's notoriously fragmented system spawns administrative tasks and barriers at the expense of patients and providers, according to a panel of experts who spoke Wednesday

Jun 26, 2024
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The Oregon Health Authority headquarters in Salem | JAKE THOMAS/THE LUND REPORT

State not recovering costs for new Oregon merger reviews

Fees paid by companies fall far short of covering expenses of program set up to protect patients, consumers

Jun 11, 2024
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GUNDULA VOGEL/PIXABAY

Oregon reviews UnitedHealth deal for Amedisys home health, hospice

Deal for hospice and home health agencies in Roseburg, Salem and Portland has sparked a comprehensive review by state merger oversight officials, even as the federal government contemplates legal action

Jun 4, 2024
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Oregon Health & Science University primarily trains its OB/GYN residents at OHSU Hospital and the Center for Women’s Health in southwest Portland. | COURTESY OHSU

OHSU, Legacy agree to merge, but state and feds must approve

Six-hospital Legacy chain would become subsidiary of OHSU to create a dominant health care player even as both entities face financial challenges

May 30, 2024
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Pictured, a team at Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center in Medford cared for a COVID-19 patient in the intensive care unit during the pandemic. | MICHAEL BLUMHARDT/ASANTE HEALTH

Health care spending in Oregon grew later in pandemic

New report tallies growth in spending that lagged overall inflation, showing impact of efforts to address spread of virus

May 28, 2024
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Emma Sandoe will head the state program providing free health care to 1 in 3 Oregonians. | OREGON HEALTH AUTHORITY

Updated: Emma Sandoe named as next director of Oregon's Medicaid program

Sandoe hails from North Carolina's program where Oregon Health Authority Director Sejal Hathi also had worked for a time. Sandoe will bring a national reputation while heading the $28-billion Oregon Health Plan providing free health care to 1.4 million low-income people.

May 23, 2024
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U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden, center, speaks about the multibillion-dollar advertising campaigns on behalf of Medicare Advantage plans during an event Monday, Nov. 20, 2023, sponsored by the Urban League of Portland at the Hattie Redmond Apartments in North Portland. | PETER WONG/©PAMPLIN MEDIA GROUP USED HERE WITH PERMISSION

Wyden wants to know how Pfizer cut its U.S. tax bill despite booming sales

Pifzer is the latest company to come under scrutiny by the Senate Finance Committee and Oregon’s senior U.S. senator as they look into pharmaceutical company tax practices