State Health Policy

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SHUTTERSTOCK

Oregon hospitals report less spending on ‘community benefit’ programs

Hospitals spent less on charity care and other programs while still meeting state minimums, but critics say it's not enough

Feb 25
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Sejal Hathi, the director of the Oregon Health Authority, has taken a part-time job seeing patients at Stanford University's teaching hospital in California. Hathi said she misses seeing patients, will work a weekend a month and is trying to restructure the position so she receives no pay. | STATE OF OREGON

Oregon Health Authority Director Sejal Hathi defends outside job at legislative hearing

Critics say her $265,000-a-year-job is 24-7, but Hathi told lawmakers her side job won't be a distraction from Oregon's largest state agency. She plans to work a shift or two a month at Stanford University's teaching hospital .

Feb 20
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Hospitals want reimbursement for boarding psychiatric patients

Local health authorities say the move would cost them more and further confuse the question of who’s responsible for patients committed by a judge

Feb 20
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Sejal Hathi, the director of the Oregon Health Authority, has taken a part-time job seeing patients at Stanford University's teaching hospital in California. Hathi said she misses seeing patients, will work a weekend a month and is trying to restructure the position so she receives no pay. | STATE OF OREGON

Oregon Health Authority Director Sejal Hathi has taken a side job in California

Stanford University is touting its hire of Hathi, a prominent state official and a physician, to see patients at its teaching hospital. It's a paid position, but Hathi said she is talking to the university about how to avoid receiving compensation.

Feb 19
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A reporter receives the five-needle protocol, an acupuncture method that has seen renewed interest for purportedly reducing cravings and helping people in recovery. | JAKE THOMAS/THE LUND REPORT

Oregon lawmakers look to acupuncture to ease addiction crisis

Research into the “five-needle protocol” is inconclusive, but backers say it provides a low-cost way to help people struggling with addiction, especially in marginalized communities.

Feb 18
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‘Noncompetes’ on chopping block as providers are kept from caring for Oregonians

Oregon lawmakers are considering two bills aimed at employer agreements that keep medical professionals from working elsewhere

Feb 13
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A view of the Oregon State Capitol in February 2024. | JAKE THOMAS/THE LUND REPORT

Health care for 1 in 3 Oregonians in question as GOP mulls cuts in D.C.

Care for 1.4 million Oregonians could face cuts or changes such as work requirements even as state lawmakers push to renew a key source of. health care funding that's eyed for cuts — the state’s provider tax.

Feb 13
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A view of OHSU's South Waterfront campus from its main campus on Marquam Hill. | JAKE THOMAS/THE LUND REPORT

With lawsuits tying up Trump’s gender care order, Oregon hospitals still provide services — so far

As politics and legal battles swirl, hospital systems and other providers face conflicting legal and funding threats from state, federal officials

Feb 11
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Parents of disabled children packed a legislative hearing on Feb. 4, 2025 in support of a bill that would allow more to be paid for caring for their kids. | JAKE THOMAS/THE LUND REPORT

Parents of high-needs children push Oregon to streamline payments for providing care

Oregon pays parents to care for adult children with major medical or behavioral issues, but does not when the children are minors. DHS officials say following the lead of other states could be expensive.

Feb 6
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PIXABAY

Consultant vows to ‘zero in’ on Oregon prison care denials in wake of blistering report

A consultant hired by Oregon prison officials to look into a scathing outside review said his firm will operate with transparency and objectivity. An attorney specializing in representing people denied care said a pattern of outrageous decisions in recent years calls for a more in-depth review.

Feb 4
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