Category Healthcare
County officials vow to defy state pressure on behavior health
Citing accountability, state health officials are trying to rewrite behavioral health contracts with counties — but local officials say the changes will hurt patients and leave counties holding the bag for the state’s many failures.
New Marion County crisis center expands access, services
Anyone in a crisis can walk into the Marion County Behavioral Health Center and be seen by a mental health professional. A newly renovated building has expanded patient options, and has brought more services under one roof.
COLUMN: Insurance options for those losing Medicare Advantage plans
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.
Measles detected in Marion County wastewater, but no confirmed local cases in 2025
The Oregon Health Authority announced last week that measles was detected in a sample of wastewater at a treatment plant in Marion County. A spokesperson for the agency said there have been no confirmed measles cases in Marion County, and the alert is meant to keep health care providers watchful for potential cases.
Salem Health clinic in south Salem closes, relocating providers and patients
The Salem Health Boulder Creek Medical Clinic will close in mid-November, following its sale to an independent neurosurgery clinic. The clinic’s 4,000 patients will be able to follow their doctors to new locations.
Northwest Kaiser nurses seek double-digit wage increase over 4-year contract
Kaiser Permanente nurses and other practitioners are on strike this week, with some picketing outside the Salem clinic on Lancaster Drive.
Two years on, Oregon’s transgender health care law faces obstacles
A law intended to make trans health care easier to access is taking effect as tens of thousands of trans people and families are leaving states that have restricted gender-affirming care for places like Oregon.
Oregon abandons Medicaid expansion for people leaving prison, months after delaying launch
State officials said onerous work to implement federal Medicaid eligibility changes and other shifting policies prevented them from rolling out a new program to expand health coverage.
COLUMN: 2026 Medicare Advantage options shrink in Marion, Polk counties
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.