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Oregon Capitol in Salem. | JAKE THOMAS/THE LUND REPORT

As drug criminalization debate rages, Oregon lawmakers consider creating a new misdemeanor

Democrats and Republicans are seeing whether they can find compromise over what kinds of consequences drug users might face

Feb 13, 2024

U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, D.C. | LOUIS VELAZQUEZ/UNSPLASH

In fight over Medicare payments, the hospital lobby shows its strength

A site-neutral Medicare payment proposal has sparked a ferocious lobbying battle in the Senate, with hospitals determined to kill such legislation

Feb 13, 2024

U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland in 2016. | SHUTTERSTOCK

‘Behind the times’: Washington tries to catch up with AI’s use in health care

Already, artificial intelligence’s impact on health care is widespread. Algorithms help schedule patients, determine staffing levels in EDs, and even transcribe and summarize clinical visits to save physicians’ time.

Feb 13, 2024

A large white building with a tall tower and staircase

The Washington State Capitol in Olympia. | SHUTTERSTOCK

Proposal to regulate hospital mergers advances in Washington state Legislature

It’s driven in part by Democrats’ interest in protecting abortion access, as well as concerns about preserving affordable care. Republicans say the bill could have unintended consequences.

Feb 13, 2024

Many counterfeit pills containing fentanyl are indistinguishable from oxycodone. | U.S. DRUG ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATION

Addiction experts call on Legislature to step up funds for medication treatment of opioid misuse

Methadone is considered the gold standard in treating opioid misuse, and the state could use twice as many clinics as it has to address the demand, experts say

Feb 13, 2024

SHUTTERSTOCK

At some Oregon hospitals, inpatient psychiatric units face uncertain future

Hospital behavioral health units are chronic money losers because insurers fail to cover the full cost of care

Feb 13, 2024

The Oregon Capitol in Salem, Ore. on March 21, 2023. | JAKE THOMAS/THE LUND REPORT

Oregon lawmakers want answers on insurance mandates’ cost, coverage

Oregon lawmakers considered more than 20 requirements on insurance coverage since 2021. A bill would create a panel tasked with answering how future mandates affect health care.

Feb 8, 2024
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A cake that was served at the grand opening of the Recovery Works NW detox in Southeast Portland on Aug. 18, 2023. The withdrawal management facility was funded through Measure 110. | EMILY GREEN/THE LUND REPORT

Lies, damned lies — and Measure 110 statistics?

Both sides of Oregon’s drug decriminalization debate are citing statistics to draw opposite conclusions, sometimes irresponsibly

Feb 8, 2024
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Drug-resistant, Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria, the pathogen responsible for causing the disease tuberculosis. | CDC/UNSPLASH

Tuberculosis cases rise, but public health agencies say they lack the resources to keep up

U.S. tuberculosis cases rose 5% in 2022, disproportionately affecting communities of color

Feb 8, 2024

This seizure on April 21, 2023 of 100,000 fentanyl pills, 3 kilograms of heroin and 1 kilogram of fentanyl in the La Grande area typifies street drugs in Oregon. | OREGON STATE POLICE

Lawmakers take first deep plunge into proposals to address the drug crisis

Most of the ideas would need funding, and that’s not yet been set

Feb 8, 2024

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