Category Healthcare
Oregon budget writers plan to spend hundreds of millions more on health, social services
New spending on Medicaid is part of a routine “budget rebalance” which the Legislature does before the end of each budget cycle
New program will help people recover from opioid withdrawal, connect with treatment
Starting March 10, people in opioid withdrawal will have easier access to medication that treats their symptoms, which include physical pain, nausea and emotional distress. The aim is to help people who have just overdosed break the cycle of using again and make treatment easier.
Community health improvement effort will focus on housing, access, mental health and substance use
A recent health assessment found that people in Marion and Polk counties are struggling to access quality health care. The findings will guide a five-year plan for improving community health.
Oregon Health Authority Director Sejal Hathi has taken a side gig in California
Stanford University is touting its hire of Hathi, a prominent state official and a physician, to see patients at its teaching hospital. It's a paid position, but Hathi said she is talking to the university about how to avoid receiving compensation.
Salem Health ends negotiations with Regence, leaving thousands out-of-network at city’s only hospital
On Wednesday, Salem Health announced that it would no longer negotiate with Regence, and asked patients to either switch insurance or seek medical care somewhere else to avoid costly out-of-network medical bills.
COLUMN: Diving into the pros and cons of Medicare Advantage
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.
Oregon U.S. Rep. Salinas pushes for mental health care in bill
U.S. Rep. Andrea Salinas wants to set a minimum standard of three free behavioral health visits a year for people enrolled in Medicaid or Medicare.
Providence reaches tentative agreement with Oregon nurses on strike
Nurses at eight Oregon hospitals will remain on strike while members vote on the tentative agreements with Providence this week.
Salem Health leader says Oregon needs to pay hospitals more for labor, delivery
Salem Health CEO Cheryl Wolfe said in a Wednesday press conference with The Hospital Association of Oregon that the provider spent $66 million more in the last year on patient care than what the Oregon Health Plan reimbursed.