Oregon Health Plan

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Yadira Martinez of Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Institute is one of the first dental therapists approved to treat cavities in Oregon. Lawmakers approved the profession in 2021 to save money and combat inequities, but pilot programs set up for training are slated to go away in less than two years. | COURTESY VIRGINIA GARCIA

They were supposed to fix dental shortages, but Oregon has only a handful

Two years ago, state lawmakers approved a new profession to combat inequities and save money. But a narrow licensing path has limited the number of these dental therapists.

Apr 25, 2023

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Members of the Oregon House of Representatives on March 21, 2023. | JAKE THOMAS/THE LUND REPORT

Lawmakers seek pause on new Oregon Health Plan contracts

Oregon is modifying its unique Medicaid system while resuming member eligibility checks

Mar 28, 2023
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James Schroeder. | COURTESY OF HEALTH SHARE OF OREGON

Outgoing health authority director faced ethics law complications

The state ethics commission’s unusual finding could shrink the pool of potential directors for an agency that is a Gov. Kotek priority

Mar 16, 2023
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FERNANDO ZHIMINAICELA/PIXABAY

State prepares to take 300,000 people off Oregon Health Plan as pandemic measures end

Officials expect difficulty in reaching members of the Medicaid-funded program after a three-year pause in eligibility checks. 

Feb 16, 2023
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CareOregon. | COURTESY OF CAREOREGON

Review launched of CareOregon-SCAN merger

Executives say they welcome the extended process, a first for the state, after some raised questions.

Feb 14, 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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Dr. John Espinola will head PacificSource. | COURTESY PHOTO.

Dr. John Espinola takes over as PacificSource CEO

The insurer contracts with Oregon to deliver care to Oregon Health Plan members.

Jan 24, 2023

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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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An employee of the Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services helps a consumer pick a health care plan on the federal online health insurance marketplace. | DEPARTMENT OF CONSUMER AND BUSINESS SERVICES

Financials Work For Low-Income ‘Bridge’ Health Plan, State Panel Says

The new plan is meant to maintain coverage gains from the pandemic, but its low reimbursement rates may be a problem.

Dec 1, 2022
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REP. TERESA LEON (TO THE LEFT), SEN. ELIZABETH STEINER HAYWARD (CENTER) AND REPRESENTATIVE WLNSVEY CAMPOS SPOKE THURSDAY ON A PANEL DISCUSSING HEALTH CARE AT THE CCO OREGON ANNUAL CONFERENCE./BEN BOTKIN/THE LUND REPORT

Oregon’s Health Care System Remains In Flux With Many Needs, Officials Say

With the 2023 legislative session nearing, lawmakers and others shared their views at CCO Oregon’s annual conference.

Sep 30, 2022
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