State Health Policy

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A statue outside the Oregon Capitol. | ALEX VISSER/THE LUND REPORT

COVID-19, Health Care Funding In Full Legislative Agenda

Issues related to the pandemic are certain to dominate the session but there are plenty of other proposals in the works, including legislation on a public option.

Jan 19, 2021
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SHUTTERSTOCK

Plan To Curb Rise In Health Care Costs Moving To Legislature

A committee that first met at the end of 2019 has come up with a proposed program to cap cost increases at 3.4% a year in Oregon.

Jan 13, 2021
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Oregon State Capitol in Salem. | RENAUDE HATSEDAKIS

Legislature Punts On Liability Protections For Health Care Providers, Passes Other Bills 

Lawmakers extend eviction moratorium, pass rental aid for tenants and landlords and allow restaurants to deliver cocktails and mixed drinks.

Dec 21, 2020
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Trillium's offices in Eugene. | CHRISTIAN WIHTOL/THE LUND REPORT

State Regulators Fault Trillium’s Portland-Area Medicaid Program - Again

Trillium appears substantially short of meeting standards set by the Oregon Health Authority for the Oregon Health Plan, documents show.

Dec 7, 2020
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LYNNE TERRY/THE LUND REPORT

Gov. Brown’s Medicaid Budget Would Crimp Hospitals, Insurers

A hospital industry group criticizes the proposed cuts in Medicaid reimbursement rates following a rough year for hospitals that have seen reduced revenue from elective procedures.

Dec 1, 2020
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PETER BUCKS ON UNSPLASH

Trillium Draws Few Medicaid Members In Portland Area

The for-profit Medicaid insurer also lags in attracting members in Lane County where it once held a monopoly.

Nov 16, 2020
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The Oregon Health Authority in Salem. | OREGON HEALTH AUTHORITY

Health Authority Seeks To Regulate Health Care Industry Mergers

Government officials and industry experts expect to see consolidation among health systems and smaller organizations following the financial hit caused by the pandemic.

Nov 16, 2020
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Vaping appears to be on the rise. | KRISTIAN FODEN-VENCIL/OPB

Election Likely To Hand Budget Writers $330 Million, Mostly For Medicaid

The revenue is projected to stem from the passage of Measure 108, which raises tobacco taxes and creates a new tax on vaping products.

Nov 5, 2020

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An Oregon Health Authority streamed announcement of the latest COVID-19 toll on Facebook drew widespread ridicule.

Oregon Health Authority Makes Change After Ridicule Over COVID-19 Clown Video

The video, streamed live on Facebook, showed a sad-faced clown announcing the days pandemic case count and death toll.

Nov 3, 2020
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The Oregon Legislature. | BEN BOTKIN/THE LUND REPORT

Lawmakers Will Consider Adding A Public Option To Expand Health Insurance Coverage

State lawmakers face unprecedented times that will force them to take a look at how the health care system works and how to bridge gaps in service.

Oct 23, 2020
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