State Health Policy

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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
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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
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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
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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
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SHUTTERSTOCK

Despite massive investment portfolios, Oregon hospitals say they need the Legislature’s help

High-stakes legislation to address low staffing and spiraling labor costs have put hospital finances in the spotlight

Feb 23
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Nurses at Legacy Health Good Samaritan Hospital in Portland. | LYNNE TERRY/THE LUND REPORT

Oregon Republicans want to ease entry of out-of-state nurses

Legislation billed as easing staffing shortages by adding Oregon to the interstate Nurse Licensure Compact faces headwinds.

Feb 20
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FERNANDO ZHIMINAICELA/PIXABAY

State prepares to take 300,000 people off Oregon Health Plan as pandemic measures end

Officials expect difficulty in reaching members of the Medicaid-funded program after a three-year pause in eligibility checks. 

Feb 16
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CareOregon. | COURTESY OF CAREOREGON

Review launched of CareOregon-SCAN merger

Executives say they welcome the extended process, a first for the state, after some raised questions.

Feb 14
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SHUTTERSTOCK

Bill seeking universal health care in Oregon gets first look

The legislation would create a state board charged with coming up with a plan for single-payer health care in Oregon.

Feb 14
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Understaffing concerns have helped fuel nurse union rallies such as the one outside Providence Health's Oregon headquarters in Portland on January 20, 2023. | JAKE THOMAS/THE LUND REPORT

Stressed and overworked, nurses want strict hospital staffing requirements

A union representing Oregon nurses says staff-to-patient ratios will halt nurses from fleeing the profession, while hospitals worry about fewer beds for patients.

Feb 9
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