Health Care
Latest Stories

Politics
How Oregon’s laws on forcing mental health treatment could change this year
The state has wrestled for years with ordering civil commitments for people with severe mental illness. Here’s what you need to know.

Health
Oregon’s health services impacted by nearly $120M in federal cuts to COVID-era grants
The Oregon Health Authority said the Trump administration has canceled roughly $117 million in COVID-era grants.

Health
Columbia River Mental Health abruptly cuts off Clark County services
A key resource for opioid addiction treatment in Clark County is on 'pause.'

Politics
Clinic closures, firings, buyouts: Northwest tribes sound alarm about cuts to health care, education and other key services
In the past two weeks, the Trump administration has announced the cancellation of leases for at least 12 Indian Health Service facilities and 25 Bureau of Indian Affairs offices, representing nearly 30% of all agency locations, including one each in Toppenish, Washington, and Lapwai, Idaho, as part of an effort to decrease federal office space.

Think Out Loud
Oregon county health officials say need is dire for stable public health funding post-pandemic
Sarah Lochner of CLHO and Tanya Phillips of Jackson County join us to share the impact that unpredictable and insufficient funding is having around the state.

Health
Lagging reimbursements from government may mean a merger or new partnership lies in Corvallis-based Samaritan Health’s future
The three-county system has not yet considered specific possibilities for its next move after possibly acquiring Santiam Hospital. But CEO Doug Boysen says ‘all options are on the table’ for Samaritan given the challenging financial landscape.

Law and Justice
Family’s experience highlights high mortality rate of Black babies, as Oregon pushes for culturally responsive care
Oregon’s ‘Momnibus’ legislative package looks to improve outcomes through multiple supports, including expanding access to doulas.
Health
Nation should take inspiration from Oregon’s reformed Medicaid system, former Gov. John Kitzhaber says
The architect of Oregon’s Medicaid reform says rather than cutting Medicaid, the federal government should reform it like Oregon did.
Think Out Loud
Former Oregon Gov. Kitzhaber says state could be model to reform — not gut — Medicaid nationally
Former Oregon governor John Kitzhaber sits down with Dave Miller to share his bipartisan ideas for preserving Medicaid.

Health
Animal rights groups aim to make monkey research a sticking point in OHSU’s plan to buy Legacy Health
OHSU says the center does “critically relevant” research into life-threatening diseases and developing treatments.