Rural Health

Klamath Falls, Oregon. | BOBJGALINDO/CC BY-SA 4.0/WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

Lawsuit seeks $2 million over allegedly illegal hospital debt collection practices

The suit against Sky Lakes Medical Center in Klamath Falls comes despite recent protections in Oregon to ensure poor patients access charity care

Nov 28, 2023
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Rock formations at Bandon Beach in Southern Oregon. | LISA MCKELLY/PIXABAY

Bandon health center sued for $1.5 million

Lawsuit alleging ‘coup’ follows resignation of three top executives

Oct 26, 2023
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St. Charles Health System in Bend. | COURTESY OF ST. CHARLES HEALTH SYSTEM

St. Charles cuts ties with 3 Medicare Advantage plans as enrollment looms

Starting in 2024, the Central Oregon health system will no longer be considered in-network for Humana, HealthNet and WellCare — affecting about 6,000 seniors

Oct 10, 2023
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An artist's rendering of the planned expansion to Columbia Memorial Hospital in Astoria. | COLUMBIA MEMORIAL HOSPITAL

Astoria hospital hopes to include tsunami upgrades in planned expansion

If awarded, a federal grant would help Columbia Memorial Hospital prepare for a natural disaster

Aug 31, 2023
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St. Charles Health System in Bend. | COURTESY OF ST. CHARLES HEALTH SYSTEM

St. Charles Health ‘encouraged’ by Medicare Advantage negotiations

The system says it’s listening to community concerns over care for 26,000 people in Central Oregon

Aug 31, 2023
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St. Charles Health System in Bend. | COURTESY OF ST. CHARLES HEALTH SYSTEM

St. Charles Medical Center dodges nurses strike with deal over pay, rest breaks

The deal comes after nearly two days of negotiations and as the nurses union threatens strikes at other hospitals

Jun 8, 2023
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St. Charles Health System in Bend. | COURTESY OF ST. CHARLES HEALTH

Nurses to vote on strike authorization at Bend hospital

Union representing more than 1,000 nurses at St. Charles Health System says management is refusing to compromise in contract negotiations

May 16, 2023
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Morrow County Health District ambulances in northeastern Oregon. | COURTESY MORROW COUNTY HEALTH DISTRICT

Morrow County Health District sues to block ambulance competition

The lawsuit follows three years of tension with the Boardman fire district

May 16, 2023
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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