Healthcare
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Oregon set to tighten rules for pharmacy benefit managers. Here’s what they do
The Legislature passed a bill tightening regulations on pharmacy benefit managers. But what exactly are these secretive middlemen of the drug industry?
Oregon lawmakers could limit corporate ownership of medical practices
House Bill 4130 seeks to protect clinics from private equity takeovers, but opponents worry it could lead smaller practices to close.
Multnomah County chair continues to blame AMR for slow ambulances
Chair Vega-Pederson said the county will immediately reopen the ambulance service contract to assess ambulance staffing and response time.
Rural pharmacies continue to close as legislature takes another look at regulation
The closure of one of two pharmacies in Milton-Freewater is part of an ongoing trend that’s seeing pharmacy chains pull out of rural Oregon. That leaves independent pharmacies. But they too are shrinking in Oregon, a fact they blame on an obscure link in the pharmaceutical supply chain: pharmacy benefit managers.
Company says it will keep Tillamook dialysis clinic open until patients have care
U.S. Renal Care had sent the Oregon Health Authority a brief notice last month of its intent to close the facility, causing patients there to say the decision amounted to a death sentence, considering the lack of other dialysis centers nearby.
OHA Director Dr. Sejal Hathi on her priorities for the agency
The new director of the Oregon Health Authority joins us to talk about her priorities for the agency.
Tillamook dialysis closure has patients fearing the worst
Sudden closure of rural Oregon facility by Texas firm leaves patients lacking options for crucial life-saving care.
Legacy, Regence rate dispute heats up
Legacy went public with the dispute Tuesday with a statement indicating its contract with the large insurer would terminate on March 31 if the two can’t reach an agreement. That would mean Oregonians insured by Regence could no longer receive services at Legacy without out-of-pocket costs, except for emergency care.
To prevent opioid overdoses, Oregon facilities will give patients medication upon release
The new law takes effect in January. Hospitals, detox facilities and clinics that treat opioid use disorders will need to supply patients with at least two doses of Narcan or an equivalent drug upon release.
Kotek appoints former White House adviser Dr. Sejal Hathi to lead Oregon Health Authority
Hathi is New Jersey’s deputy health commissioner for public health services and the designated state health officer. The Oregon Health Authority has been without a permanent director for nearly a year.