The Lund Report
@thelundreport.bsky.social
We're an independent, nonprofit newsroom engaged in public-service journalism. We shine a light on health care for people in Oregon/SW Washington. Come visit at www.thelundreport.org
A nurse practitioner who worked at OHSU's Hillsboro Medical Center says she was let go after helping organize a new union and relaying complaints on behalf of co-workers who feared retaliation
OHSU hit with $1.9 million suit over layoff of union organizer
A nurse practitioner who worked at Hillsboro Medical Center says she was let go after helping organize a new union and relaying complaints on behalf of co-workers who feared retaliation
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A private equity-backed ambulance giant serving greater Portland likes the Trump administration's push to cut federal funding for EMT services, which could boost the company's dominant market share. But others say the plan would hurt response times for people in crisis.
Federal push to slash ambulance funds sparks alarm for Oregon fire agencies, EMTs
The private equity-backed ambulance giant serving greater Portland likes the Trump administration's push, which could boost the company's dominant market share by hurting competitors. But others say t...
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Members of the Universal Health Plan Governance Board will discuss Thursday how to deliver a report to the Legislature on how the state can create a health care system that enables all Oregonians to receive care from any provider without paying premiums, deductibles, or other out-of-pocket costs.
Universal health board moves forward, slowly
Though a legislative deadline has been pushed back on providing a roadmap to universal coverage, some say the effort to reduce waste and increase access needs more backing from the state
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A Philip Morris lobbyist concedes that his work to steer Oregon counties toward underage enforcement, rather than flavor bans, will help the company’s bottom line. Health advocates say the campaign is misleading and won’t protect youth.
Big Tobacco notches wins in some Oregon counties as flavor bans spread elsewhere
A Philip Morris lobbyist concedes his work to steer counties toward underage enforcement will help the company’s bottom line. Health advocates say the campaign is misleading and won’t protect youth.
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About 1 in 3 Oregonians are covered by the Medicaid-funded Oregon Health Plan, but the regional care organizations that serve most lower-income people are worried that the state won't share its assumptions in how it wants to pay for their care.
State needs more transparency in Oregon Health Plan spending, lobbyists say
About 1 in 3 Oregonians are covered by the Medicaid-funded Oregon Health Plan, but the regional care organizations that serve most lower-income people are worried that the state won't share its assump...
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A comprehensive analysis of the state's residential treatment system validates complaints from providers who say Oregon's rules that prioritize criminal defendants hurt outcomes and block help from going to those most in need.
Oregon's residential treatment system needs new rules, focus, consultant finds
A comprehensive analysis validates complaints from providers who say state rules that prioritize criminal defendants hurt outcomes and block help from going to those most in need
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State health officials want the judge in the Oregon State Hospital civil rights case to halt contempt fines. But patient advocates say doing so would give the state no incentive to comply with orders to prevent patients from languishing in jails while they await care.
State health officials want judge to halt contempt fines in civil rights case
But some patient advocates say the Oregon Health Authority should remain accountable or care will suffer
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Oregon Health Plan housing assistance program still dogged with problems: The 2025 roundup report from the Oregon Health Authority’s Ombuds Program received more than 830 complaints from people facing problems accessing housing benefits.
Oregon Health Plan’s housing benefit program still failing to help hundreds, new report says
The 2025 roundup report from the Oregon Health Authority’s Ombuds Program received more than 830 complaints from people facing problems accessing housing benefits
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Hospitals across Oregon and the country are bracing for dramatic federal reductions in coverage, as well as the payments they rely on. Meanwhile, bond ratings take the hit.
With federal changes looming, bond ratings agency lowers St. Charles outlook
Hospitals across Oregon and the country are bracing for dramatic federal reductions in coverage as well as the payments they rely upon
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More than a decade after Oregon's first attempt to create an insurance marketplace went south — at a cost of $300 million— the state has a version it says will be far cheaper and increase its ability to help people find coverage.
Oregon to launch new health insurance website
More than a decade after an earlier attempt went wrong at a cost of $300 million, the state has a version that it says will be far cheaper and increase its ability to help people seeking coverage.
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After months of stalemate, Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) and Regence BlueCross BlueShield have agreed on a new contract, resuming a relationship in question since January.
Regence and OHSU reach agreement after months of stalemate
The new contract will apply to several hundred thousand Oregonians insured by a commercial or employer-sponsored Regence BlueCross BlueShield plan
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A group of nonprofit hospitals and health districts across Oregon hope to get the OK to create a network and contract with a for-profit company to pool resources and increase payments from insurers. They say they'll remain independent.
Rural hospitals in Oregon seek state approval to join forces
Eleven nonprofit hospitals and health districts around Oregon hope to get an official green light to create a network and contract with for-profit company to pool resources and increase payments from ...
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At the peer-to-peer crisis line YouthLine, volunteers encourage help-seeking with a “no problem too big or too small” philosophy. The teenagers and young adults who staff the lines have their own personal reasons for helping youths navigate mental health challenges. @linesforlife.bsky.social
Portland-area teens step up to address youth mental health crisis
At peer-to-peer crisis line YouthLine, youth volunteers encourage help-seeking with a “no problem too big or too small” philosophy
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Nine physicians who ran the neonatal intensive care unit at Rogue Regional Medical Center for decades say they’re worried about staffing and safety at the facility. The group, which ran the NICU for decades, was told in January their contracts would not be renewed when they ended July 1.
Fired neonatal doctors call for transparency, safety at Asante
The nine physicians who ran the neonatal intensive care unit at Rogue Regional Medical Center for decades say they’re worried about staffing and safety at the facility
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For 30 years, Rick Treleaven has been fighting for compassionate care while helping people with substance use disorders and mental health needs. We caught up with the retired BestCare leader to get his takeaways on a system that’s struggling.
Q&A: Rick Treleaven on Oregon’s behavioral health needs
For 30 years he’s been fighting for compassionate care while helping people with substance use disorders and mental health needs. We caught up with the retired BestCare leader to get his takeaways on ...
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Small Doses: Earnings in Oregon boost @providencehealth.bsky.social profits, @wyden.senate.gov and @jeff-merkley.bsky.social press feds on data-sharing with ICE. Plus, the state wants to hear from you on behavioral health care in Oregon.
Small Doses: Earnings in Oregon boost Providence profits
Also, Wyden and Merkley press feds on data-sharing with ICE; Behavioral health feedback sought
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A former @ohsunews.bsky.social top executive says he tried to address concerns over patient care as well as racism and sexism, and seeks more than $15 million in damages for his firing.
Salaway suit claims he faced resistance for addressing OHSU care concerns
A former OHSU top executive says he tried to address concerns over patient care as well as racism and sexism, and seeks more than $15 million in damages for his firing
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A spokesperson for the union representing about 300 registered nurses and nurse practitioners at the Oregon State Hospital says the hospital leader fired this week had been working to address low staffing levels that violate the state’s nurse staffing law and put staff and patients at risk.
Nurses union says Oregon State Hospital’s staffing levels are putting staff, patients at risk
A spokesperson for the union representing about 300 registered nurses and nurse practitioners at the state psychiatric institution said the hospital leader fired this week had been working to address ...
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Oregon State Hospital and its new superintendent, Sean Murphy, parted ways after one month. Murphy tells The Lund Report that he and state health leadership could not agree on what changes were needed at the state’s psychiatric institution and how fast those changes needed to occur.
One month in, Sean Murphy is out as Oregon State Hospital superintendent
Murphy said he and state health leadership could not agree on what changes were needed at the state’s psychiatric institution, and how fast those changes needed to occur.
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A fire in April destroyed the organization’s new Portland complex as it was nearing completion. But founder Tony Vezina says the peer-focused organization will rebuild on a solid foundation of helping youths find connections and sobriety together.
After a devastating fire, 4D Recovery’s Tony Vezina is undeterred
A fire in April destroyed the organization’s new Portland complex as it was nearing completion. But founder Tony Vezina says the peer-focused organization will rebuild on a solid foundation of helping...
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A St. Charles nurse is suing the central Oregon health care system, contending it is breaking state law over missed breaks, while St. Charles asserts that the matter is related to the labor agreement and should be settled through arbitration.
St. Charles loses appeal on suit alleging meal-break violations
A St. Charles nurse is suing the central Oregon health care system, contending it is breaking state law over missed breaks, while St. Charles asserts that the matter is related to the labor agreement ...
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Oregon's Medicaid delivery system is at a crossroads. An expert panel with @OregonHealthForum discusses what needs to change and how the state can brace for the massive federal changes that lie ahead.
State leaders need to address Oregon’s Medicaid crisis now, ahead of federal cuts, panel says
The future of Oregon's Medicaid delivery system is under question, as an expert panel discusses what needs to change, and how the state can brace for the massive federal changes that lie ahead
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Salem Health has promised to invest millions into Santiam and expand maternity services, among other things. Santiam had enjoyed very healthy profits until recently. Its leadership said recent losses and looming IT costs jeopardized its ability to provide services.
Updated: Under pressure, state officials approve takeover of Santiam Hospital by Salem Health
Salem Health has promised to invest millions into Santiam and expand maternity services, among other things. Santiam had enjoyed very healthy profits until recently as one of the few remaining Oregon ...
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Continued losses and shrinking cash mean Legacy's stability is in question, analysts said; Legacy leadership says the coverage cutbacks spearheaded by Congressional Republicans spell trouble ahead.
Bond agency flags concern over Legacy’s finances
Continued losses, shrinking cash mean the health system’s stability is in question, analysts said; Legacy leadership says the coverage cutbacks spearheaded by Congressional Republicans spell trouble a...
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Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) is rapidly incorporating AI technology into its operations. The union says it is changing the working conditions for union members and could end some jobs altogether.
Union demands greater transparency around OHSU's use of artificial intelligence
The university is rapidly incorporating AI technology into its operations, but the union says it is changing the working conditions for union members and could end some jobs altogether
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Small Doses: PeaceHealth moves IT operations to an outside contractor. Plus, state health officials flag more measles exposure sites, and more charges are filed against Oregonians for Medicaid theft, including patient neglect and billing for bogus services.
Small Doses: PeaceHealth moves IT operations to outside contractor
Also, state health officials flag more measles exposure sites, and more charges are filed against Oregonians for Medicaid theft, including patient neglect and billing for bogus services
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Buyers beware: The state is close to finalizing 2027 rates for individuals and small businesses that buy their own insurance. Despite small trims by regulators, premium hikes of 16%, on average, could be approved in September.
Double-digit increases for health coverage near approval
The state is close to finalizing 2027 rates for individuals and small businesses that buy their own insurance. Despite small trims by regulators, premium hikes of 16% on average could be approved in S...
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The Right to IVF Act, which is being introduced in the U.S. Senate and House, would guarantee the right to fertility treatment, enact an insurance mandate, and cover preservation of reproductive material.
Oregon’s U.S. senators back bill requiring coverage of IVF
The Right to IVF Act, which is being introduced in the U.S. Senate and House, would guarantee the right to fertility treatment, enact an insurance mandate, and cover preservation of reproductive mater...
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State officials expect to announce next month whether the merger between Samaritan Health and MultiCare will be approved — or requires a more in-depth review to determine its impact on Oregonians.
Samaritan-Multicare merger nears August timeline for next steps
State officials expect to announce next month whether the merger will be approved or requires a more in-depth review
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Located just outside Portland, the for-profit Cedar Hills Hospital will lay off 45 employees and cut a third of its beds in the latest blow to acute psychiatric care in Oregon. The hospital is owned by the global holding company Universal Health Services.
Cedar Hills Hospital cutting 34 behavioral health beds
Located just outside Portland, the for-profit hospital will lay off 45 employees in just the latest blow to acute psychiatric care in Oregon
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