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HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. speaking before a Senate Appropriations Subcommittee, May 20, 2025. | WEBCAST SCREENSHOT

HHS presses health care providers, hospitals to curb gender-affirming treatments for kids

With the threat of withholding Medicaid payments, Kennedy pushes states to follow HHS recommendations which are widely criticized by health organizations as failing to meet established scientific standards

May 29

Oregon State Hospital in Salem, Oregon, on Nov. 21, 2023. | JAKE THOMAS/THE LUND REPORT

State wants hospitals to pay more to support the program investigating them

Oregon health officials are asking lawmakers to support a bill that would increase hospital licensing fees by a factor of five to improve outreach and oversight. They'd still be less than in Washington state, but hospital officials say the move would further burden struggling facilities.

Mar 18
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The west plaza at Oregon State Hospital in Salem. | COURTESY OREGON HEALTH AUTHORITY

Judge may extend discharge deadlines for Oregon State Hospital patients

Much-criticized court order is no longer doing enough to ease the state's problem with lack of psychiatric beds, but supporters say it's better than nothing as the state continues to regularly violate a decades- old civil rights ruling

Dec 17, 2024
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STEFAN SCHWEIHOFER/PIXABAY

Private equity snaps up disability services, challenging state regulators

Private equity firms have acquired more than 1,000 disability and elder care providers in recent years, attracting more money from Medicaid and alarm from watchdogs

May 20

The Oregon State Capitol in November 2024. | JAKE THOMAS/THE LUND REPORT

Oregon Gov. Kotek seeks state hospital fixes, more mental health in budget asks

As the legislative session looms, Kotek unveiled a spending plan that aims to bring Oregon closer to its treatment bed goal, ease federal scrutiny of the state hospital and put the Oregon Health Plan on better footing

Dec 3, 2024
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Dr. Kyle Patton with the Shasta Community Health Center HOPE program's mobile medical van on April 10, 2025. | JANE VAUGHAN/JPR

No hospital, no home: Medical respite steps in where systems fall short

Many homeless people are finding themselves in a sort of medical in-between: not sick enough for the hospital, but not well enough to take care of themselves on the streets. Medical respite programs are trying to fill this gap.

May 22

A student nurse practices caregiving at Oregon Coast Community College. The college's nursing program has seen 50% growth in the past five years with about 90 registered nurses moving through each year. | OREGON COAST COMMUNITY COLLEGE, SCHOOL OF NURSING AND ALLIED HEALTH

Oregon Coast Community College approved for accredited 4-year nursing degrees

Described as a “gamechanger,” the new bachelor's degree is expected to help meet the high demand for nurses across the state

May 27

the capitol building behind pink blossoms

Oregon State Capitol in Salem. | ROBERT AUGHENBAUGH

Bill to limit corporate investment in Oregon health care passes key committee

The bill is supported by physicians, as well as Eugene-area lawmakers, who hope it will prevent future corporate takeovers like Optum's purchase of the Oregon Medical Group

May 19

Oregon State Hospital in Salem, Oregon, on Nov. 21, 2023. | JAKE THOMAS/THE LUND REPORT

Oregon State Hospital bringing in outside help after multiple violations and patient deaths

The Oregon State Hospital has hired a consulting firm to help it address safety violations that federal inspectors have flagged after three patient deaths and other issues like sexual contact between patients. The hospital will pay the company up to $1.7 million.

Sep 24, 2024