State Health Policy

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Oregon Sets Minimum Charity Care Levels For Hospitals

Other states have set minimums for hospital groups but Oregon is the first to set levels for individual hospitals, which have profited from the expansion of Medicaid.

Feb 17, 2021
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Lawmakers Back Telehealth Pay Parity

House Bill 2508 would allow providers to continue to get telehealth reimbursed at the same rates as office visits while banning barriers to virtual or telephonic consultations.

Feb 8, 2021
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Oregon Bill Would Protect Legal Immigrants Seeking Health Care

Lawmakers want to let immigrants apply for financial help from a hospital rather than have to apply for the Oregon Health Plan, the state’s Medicaid program.

Feb 2, 2021
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Gov. Kate Brown displaying a mask at a May 7, 2020 news conference. | SCREENGRAB VIA YOUTUBE/OREGONIAN/OREGONLIVE

Governor’s Commission Urges Brown To Reverse Priorities For Vaccine Plan

The governor’s Commission on Senior Services became the latest group to make an appeal, saying, “We implore you to reverse your latest decision immediately.”

Jan 25, 2021
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Gov. Kate Brown Mounts Defense Over Decision To Vaccinate Teachers Before Seniors 

Governor sticks with COVID-19 vaccination schedule despite critics, including the group representing Oregon hospitals.

Jan 22, 2021
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Gov. Kate Brown. | JAIME VALDEZ/PORTLAND TRIBUNE

Gov. Kate Brown Commits To Affordable Health Care In Annual Speech

The governor urged Oregon to prepare for a long haul with the pandemic and said she would back a proposal to cap the rise in health care costs statewide at 3.4%.

Jan 21, 2021

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Brown Insists Educators Must Be Vaccinated Before Seniors Despite Anger Among Seniors, Questions By Scientists

A retired school teacher with health conditions told The Lund Report that “if I get this I die,” referring to the novel coronavirus.

Jan 20, 2021
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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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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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