legislature

Clouds hover over the Oregon Capitol building.

Oregon State Capitol in Salem. | BEN BOTKIN/THE LUND REPORT

Oregon Lawmakers Call For Investigation Of Harassment, Discrimination On Campuses

A bipartisan resolution follows high-profile complaints against Oregon Health & Science University and Oregon State University.

May 5, 2021
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The Oregon State Capitol building in Salem. | BEN BOTKIN/THE LUND REPORT

Lawmakers Seek To Rein In Red Tape In Medical Insurance Claims

Legislators are considering a bill to try to eliminate some roadblocks that delay care like requiring patients to try less expensive treatments first.

May 3, 2021
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Oregon U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley Seeks To Rein In High Prescription Drug Prices

The bill would tie U.S. drug prices to a median price in 11 countries where prescriptions are much cheaper.

Apr 22, 2021

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Proposed Overhaul Of Oregon’s Mental Health Care System Starts With Phone Number

Oregonians may get a 9-8-8 emergency phone line to take behavioral health calls, and a new network of behavioral health teams and centers.

Apr 21, 2021
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Rep. Tina Kotek is the Oregon House speaker./Ben Botkin/The Lund Report

COVID Case Cancels Oregon House Floor Session Again

The latest positive case of COVID-19 means the House will delay voting on bills until April 26, according to House Speaker Tina Kotek, D-Portland.

Apr 21, 2021

The Oregon State Capitol building in Salem. | BEN BOTKIN/THE LUND REPORT

Lawmakers Prep Tweaks To Oregon’s Drug Decriminalization Effort

Senate Bill 755, which is moving through the Legislature, includes some meaningful changes to the treatment process envisioned in 2020′s Ballot Measure 110.

Apr 14, 2021

Vaping appears to be on the rise. | KRISTIAN FODEN-VENCIL/OPB

Oregon Bill Would Ban Online Vaping Sales

The House advances a bill that requires face-to-face purchases of vaping products to prevent illicit sales to minors.

Apr 13, 2021
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Ben Botkin/The Lund Report

Bill Could Strip State Of Power To Shield COVID, Other Health Data

Under Senate Bill 719, “when questions are asked, unless there’s a reason not to, then information will be released,” says Sen. Michael Dembrow, D-Portland.

Apr 6, 2021

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More than 100 Insurers, Providers Likely To Be Held To Oregon’s Health Care Cost Cap

Developing the initial list, which likely will be fine-tuned later, is another step in the process of trying to keep the annual growth in health care spending below 3.4%.

Apr 5, 2021
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