The Lund Report

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A COVID-19 VACCINE IS ADMINISTERED AT THE DESCHUTES COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT IN BEND, JANUARY 2021./BRADLEY W. PARKS/OPB

Oregon joins federal suit to block sudden cancellation of $11.4 billion in health grants

The Trump administration cuts would deliver a $117 million hit to Oregon programs set up to combat disease and drug addiction

Apr 1

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A hallway in OHSU's main campus in Portland in September 2024 | JAKE THOMAS/THE LUND REPORT

State review of OHSU takeover of Legacy Health nears recommendation

A review board on Monday will consider whether to recommend state approval of the proposed merger between Oregon Health & Science University and Legacy Health. Critics say the newly dominant health care powerhouse in greater Portland would inevitably jack up costs, but supporters say it would help care.

Mar 28
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A FLU VACCINATION BEING GIVEN./PHOTO COPYRIGHT: PORTLAND TRIBUNE (USED WITH PERMISSION)

Oregon public health programs hit with $117 million in surprise federal cuts

Trump administration's abrupt halt to grants worth $12 billion around the country has state and local agencies contemplating layoffs and cuts to programs combatting diseases such as tuberculous, mpox and the flu

Mar 27

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State Sen. Deb Patterson, D-Salem, during a Senate Health Care Committee hearing. | JAKE THOMAS/THE LUND REPORT

Oregon won’t set price caps on prescription drugs — for now

Citing a desire for consensus and to see how things go elsewhere, State Sen. Deb Patterson has dropped plans this session to follow the lead of some other states and authorize caps on excessive pharmaceutical prices charged to insurers and government payers

Mar 27
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ONDŘEJ P. VANĚČEK IS LICENSED UNDER CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

Oregon Death With Dignity prescriptions grew last year as reported deaths declined

Critics feared an increase in ‘death tourism’ after the state dropped its residency requirement, but slightly fewer non-Oregonians used the law to end their lives in 2024.

Mar 27
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PeaceHealth, Vancouver - Medical Center Physician's Building. | COURTESY PEACEHEALTH

Major Vancouver mental health provider furloughs 112 workers, will continue methadone treatment

Officials are scrambling to respond after Columbia River Mental Health Services, a mainstay of Clark County's behavioral health system, issued a surprise announcement of clinic closures and a financial crisis Monday. A leader says methadone treatment will continue to prevent sudden withdrawal for 800 clients.

Mar 26
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Oregon GOP House lawmakers described their priorities for the 2025 legislative session at a press event in February. | JAKE THOMAS/THE LUND REPORT

Oregon GOP lawmakers request federal investigation of Medicaid, gender care

Seven House members want to help Trump administration in federal litigation over gender-affirming care for minors. The Trump push has sparked alarm for civil rights advocates who say it threatens care that can be life-saving.

Mar 26
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The emergency department at Legacy Good Samaritan hospital in Portland on July 30, 2023. | JAKE THOMAS/THE LUND REPORT

Opinion: Why SEIU members at Legacy support it becoming part of OHSU

Oregon Health & Science University leaders won the union’s endorsement of the merger by making commitments to equal pay and training as well as facility upgrades that would improve care at Legacy Health hospitals, workers say

Mar 24
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BLOGTREPRENEUR/CC BY 2.0)

Longtime Oregon Health Authority equity director sues state over termination

Leann Johnson has filed a federal lawsuit saying she was ‘scapegoated’ and faced retaliation for raising discrimination concerns and questioning agency leadership

Mar 21
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State Rep. Tawna Sanchez, D-Portland, chatting before a session of the Oregon House on March 21, 2023. | JAKE THOMAS/THE LUND REPORT

Hundreds of health care bills will live or die Friday as a key deadline hits in Salem

Legislative leaders have moved efforts to address medical debt and increase payments for dentists and behavioral health workers, but may not advance bills to protect consumers from surprise fees and boost access to primary care.

Mar 20
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