Category Healthcare
Salem adds space for court-ordered behavioral health treatment
The newly completed Marion and Polk County Secure Residential Treatment Facility will serve people with severe and persistent mental illness who have been ordered by a judge to receive treatment. It adds capacity to a strained statewide system which leaves many without such options for longer term care.
COLUMN: Your start guide to Medicare
Jim Sellers, former Oregon journalist and state agency employee, writes a regular column to help thousands in Salem deal with the confusing world of Medicare and federal benefits. He's available to answer your questions.
Revolt by Oregon counties delays state behavioral health changes
State health officials want counties to focus mental health spending on criminal defendants, but counties say vulnerable people would lose access and suffer as a result.
Salem doctors, nurses ask lawmakers to fight harder against cuts to Medicaid
Over 600 doctors around the state have added their names to a joint letter asking Oregon’s state and federal lawmakers to stop proposed federal cuts to Medicaid. Many on the list work in Salem Health’s emergency department.
Oregon House passes bill that would require health insurers cover menopause treatment
The Oregon House unanimously passed a bill Tuesday that would require health insurers provide treatment for people experiencing perimenopause, menopause and postmenopause.
No relief coming for Oregon’s struggling pharmacies as bill fails
Lawmakers couldn’t find a compromise on a bill to regulate pharmacy benefit managers that was intended to help retail pharmacies.
Medical price transparency promised relief for Oregon patients. So far, it’s falling short
Posted hospital prices intended to bring transparency to health care costs rarely reflect what people actually pay for procedures.
In final days of session, lawmakers combine two controversial mental health bills
The Legislature is considering some of the largest changes in years to Oregon’s system of committing people to mental health treatment who pose a serious danger to themselves or another person. A last-minute decision to tie those changes into a larger bill may have muddied the waters, said some working in Marion County.
Oregon Health Authority seeking public input on Providence home health and hospice deal
A for-profit company is proposing to take over management of Providence home health and hospice agencies operating in Salem and other parts of Oregon.