State Health Policy

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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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Christine Reeh, a licensed therapist, tells the Oregon House Behavioral Health and Health Care Committee on Tuesday, March 14, 2023, how insurance auditing practices threaten to reduce access to mental health treatment services. | OLIS SCREEN GRAB/THE LUND REPORT

Bill seeks to shield Oregon mental health providers from costly audit practices

Therapists told a legislative committee insurance audits are driving them out of business, but the fix may conflict with federal law

Mar 16, 2023
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Activists on Feb. 13, 2023, protested the proposed closure of Mount Hood Family Birth Center in Gresham. | JAKE THOMAS/THE LUND REPORT

State threatens ‘regulatory actions’ if Legacy closes Gresham hospital maternity unit without approval

Citing red ink, Legacy plans to push ahead with closure of the facility despite state concerns and newly introduced legislation

Mar 15, 2023
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Activists on Feb. 13, 2023, protested the proposed closure of Mount Hood Family Birth Center in Gresham. | JAKE THOMAS/THE LUND REPORT

East County lawmakers urge state to block Legacy’s closure of Gresham birth center

Lawmakers’ letter contends an ‘unsafe’ care model sought by the health system for the maternity unit caused a wave of staff to exit

Mar 13, 2023
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Dr. Win Kyin worked in primary care in Myanmar before fleeing the country, but she ran into roadblocks when she tried to get licensed to practice medicine in the U.S. Kyin pictured here on March 3 at the IRCO Pacific Islander and Asian Family Center. | JAKE THOMAS/THE LUND REPORT

Bill seeks to clear path for health workers trained abroad

Supporters say people with health care expertise from abroad could ease Oregon's staffing shortages

Mar 9, 2023
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James Schroeder sat for an interview with The Lund Report at his office in downtown Portland on Jan. 11, 2023. | NICK BUDNICK/THE LUND REPORT

Oregon Health Authority Director James Schroeder’s resignation sparks questions

Dave Baden will step in as interim director after Schroeder cited family in his surprise announcement

Mar 3, 2023
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Oregon Capitol in Salem. | JAKE THOMAS/THE LUND REPORT

Bill allowing Oregon Health Authority to access patient immigration data advances

The agency’s legislation to improve data showing health inequities will be pared down in the face of opposition

Mar 2, 2023
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James Schroeder. | COURTESY OF HEALTH SHARE OF OREGON

James Schroeder’s team at Oregon Health Authority takes shape

New director vows continued “transformative” change with new faces in top roles

Feb 28, 2023
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SHUTTERSTOCK

Bill seeks personal data collection on people who use legal psilocybin in Oregon

Proponents say the data is protected and will benefit the program. Critics say it will deter patients.

Feb 28, 2023
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Kevin Heinrich, a licensed practical nurse, at a workstation at Mirabella Portland’s skilled nursing facility on Feb. 13, 2023. Nurses and other health care workers have become increasingly hard to find after the pandemic. | JAKE THOMAS/THE LUND REPORT

Long-term care providers say temp staff costs unsustainable, want help

Temporary staffing agencies helped with shortages during the pandemic, but providers and others say the high cost destabilizes health care

Feb 23, 2023
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