Rural Health

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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

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SHUTTERSTOCK

Oregon ‘death doulas’ increase in numbers, in Portland and rural areas

As the burgeoning industry begins to take shape, new programs in central Oregon extend end-of-life services to homeless and rural populations

Apr 13, 2023
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The Red Lion Inn & Suites in Seaside was purchase by CareOregon so it could be converted into housing for health care workers, as well as people with behavioral health needs. | COURTESY OF CAREOREGON

Hotel will become housing for health care workers on Oregon Coast

Results from the CareOregon project could bolster argument for Medicaid-funded workforce housing

Mar 16, 2023
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Nurses and health care workers at St. Anthony Hospital in Pendleton. | COURTESY OREGON NURSES ASSOCIATION

Alleged wage theft from nurses at CommonSpirit hospitals in Oregon sparks lawsuit

Union members say underpayments at Mercy Medical in Roseburg and St. Anthony in Pendleton followed a ransomware attack

Mar 9, 2023
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