Think Out Loud

How rural Oregon hospitals are joining forces to stay afloat

By Gemma DiCarlo (OPB)
Oct. 1, 2026 1 p.m.

Broadcast: Thursday, Oct. 1

At a time when many rural hospitals are either closing or merging with larger, urban health systems, a group of Oregon hospitals wants to try something different.

Eleven hospitals and health systems are asking for state approval to form a clinically integrated network. They say the partnership will allow them to share resources while maintaining their independence.

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Landon Dybdal is the CEO of Lake Health District and the chair of the proposed Cascade High Value Network. Nate White is the CEO and president of Cibolo Health, which has helped establish these networks in other states. They both join us to talk about the new partnership.

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THANKS TO OUR SPONSOR:
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