Christen McCurdy

There’s no other media outlet in Oregon where you can find the most comprehensive and up-to-date news and analysis about Oregon’s healthcare system.

April 4, 2012 -- Oregon Health & Science University reported $36 million in operating income at last month's board meeting – $9 million more than anticipated since its fiscal year began last July.

March 26, 2012 -- Central City Concern and the Multnomah County Health Department have joined forces to open a safety net dental clinic in downtown Portland for the uninsured and people on the Oregon Health Plan. The clinic is expected to open this fall.The county runs several dental clinics on the inner east side and in Gresham, including a clinic on SE 44th and Powell, but none are close to the downtown area.

March 8, 2012 – Before adjourning, the Oregon Legislature passed a law making it easier to investigate abuse among people over age 65. House Bill 4084 allows investigating agencies to look at the financial and medical records of seniors, extends the statute of limitations on certain elder abuse crimes (including theft and robbery) from two years to six years, and removes the ability to expunge these crimes from a person’s criminal record.

February 29, 2012 -- Earlier this month, TriMet announced sweeping cuts that activists say would have a significant impact on health outcomes for people in Portland. The proposed changes include eliminating the free rail zone in the city center, reduced or altered service on some bus lines, a fare increase – the 11th in 12 years -- and making single tickets one-way instead of offering transfers.

February 25, 2012 – Mike Trethewey is preparing to travel from Beaverton to Seattle for a life-saving surgery he needed three months ago. Trethewey was diagnosed last August with stage two metastatic testicular cancer and had three rounds of chemotherapy before he and his wife, Laura, who had Kaiser insurance became uninsured because they were unable to pay the monthly premium.