Oregon Public Broadcasting

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Kayla Medina, center, claps during a drug court session on Oct. 3, 2023. Medina is among those opposing plans to end Cowlitz County's mental health sales tax. | TROY BRYNELSON/OPB

Cowlitz County social programs in limbo as officials eye expiration of mental health sales tax

The tax helps pay for mobile crisis units used by local police, mental health services in the jail, and programs like the drug court in the southwestern Washington county

Oct 12

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File: Necia Cage Pankey, a frontline worker at Kaiser Permanente’s Sunnyside Medical Center, chants with the crowd at a press conference held at the Oregon AFL-CIO offices in Portland, Sept. 14, 2023. SEIU members who work at Kaiser ended their strike at 6 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 7, though members of another union remained on strike. | KRISTYNA WENTZ-GRAFF/OPB

Some Kaiser Permanente workers return, while pharmacy strike continues

Members of the Service Employees International Union returned to work at 6 a.m. Saturday. The strike that has shuttered several Kaiser Permanente pharmacies in Oregon continues.

Oct 10

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PIXABAY

Treatment to protect infants from RSV faces obstacles in Oregon

Cost and government rules are slowing down the urgent effort to get the RSV shot to newborns

Oct 3

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Legacy Health Good Samaritan Medical Center in Northwest Portland, Ore., on July 30, 2023. | JAKE THOMAS/THE LUND REPORT

Possible merger, safety drive unionization effort at Legacy Health

The Oregon Nurses Association pointed to patient care and safety, as well as the decision to close the Gresham birthing center

Oct 3

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In the retina, there are photoreceptors that convert light into electricity, and then neurons carry that electrical message to the brain. | BRANDON SWANSON/OPB

Oregon scientists are building a better bionic eye

A new retinal implant interface could help restore lost eyesight

Sep 19

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SHUTTERSTOCK

Oregon health officials recommend getting new COVID-19 vaccine as soon as it’s available

It’s not yet clear exactly when the new COVID-19 vaccine will be available in Oregon. But people can begin scheduling appointments now.

Sep 14

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The Oregon Health Authority in Salem. | OREGON HEALTH AUTHORITY

Oregon becomes 3rd in nation to seek federal approval for a basic health program

OHA advisors say yes to free health care for adults at 138-200% of the poverty level

Sep 13

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SHUTTERSTOCK

Oregon nurses say carry naloxone, save a life

The opioid overdose-reversing drug is good to have on hand in case of emergency, say nurses at OHSU

Sep 5

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COURTESY OF SAINT ALPHONSUS.

St. Alphonsus nurses fear more cuts are coming in Baker City

In the wake of ICU and birth center closures, nurses fight for new contract and more pay.

Sep 4

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SHUTTERSTOCK

Oregon kids return to school — and the festival of viruses begins

Health care providers say Oregonians have more options to minimize the consequences of an infection with one of the big three: COVID-19, RSV and influenza

Aug 31