Kristine de Leon

Why some Oregonians are being turned away for COVID-19 vaccines Many pharmacists can only give the shot to those who bring in a prescription.

Until a CDC panel makes its recommendations, even people 65 and older will need a prescription to get vaccinated at an Oregon pharmacy, @kcd.bsky.social reports

Oregon embraced expanded Medicaid benefits. Federal cuts could put them on the chopping block Federal cuts could hit harder in states like Oregon that have embraced Medicaid expansion and added benefits to its safety-net health care program.

Important reporting from @kcd.bsky.social on how Republicans' Medicaid cuts could impact Oregonians, including a 6-year-old in Hood River:

“Without it, there’s no way Wylie would be at home with us. She’d be institutionalized,” Tiffany George said.

www.oregonlive.com/health/2025/...

Intel’s retreat is unlike anything it’s done before in Oregon The chipmaker's Oregon workforce is at its lowest point in more than a decade.

Intel has laid off workers before but it's never done anything like what's happening now.

The company's Oregon headcount is at its lowest point in more than a decade.

“Intel’s challenges do not reflect the quality of the technology workforce in Oregon,” says the governor's press secretary.

Oregon DOJ says public officials exploited nonprofit to cash in on Amazon data centers, reap millions for themselves “You have people in this situation who knew that this company was undervalued and sold it to themselves and misled folks for personal gain."

The Oregonian reported in 2022 that officials in a remote county lured Amazon data centers with millions in tax breaks -- then positioned themselves for a windfall through contracts with Amazon.

The Oregon DoJ sued today, saying those officials exploited a rural nonprofit for personal gain.

Appeals court strikes down ‘click-to-cancel’ rule It’s another blow to one of former Chair Lina Khan’s accomplishments.

Appeals court strikes down click-to-cancel rule
www.theverge.com/news/702398/...

CEO of Oregon grocery chain Market of Choice dies at 62 Rick Wright took over the family grocery business in 1997 and grew it into a 12-store Oregon chain.

Rick Wright, the CEO of regional grocery chain Market of Choice, died Sunday at his home in Eugene. He was 62. www.oregonlive.com/retail/2025/...

Sick of insurance hassles, these Oregon doctors charge patients a monthly fee instead A growing number of doctors are embracing a subscription model that some patients love — but which could widen equity gaps.

A growing number of Oregon primary care doctors are leaving the insurance-based system for subscription models, seeking better patient relationships and relief from burnout. But critics warn it could deepen health inequities
www.oregonlive.com/health/2025/...

OHSU names single finalist for president after another candidate drops out The top remaining candidate to lead the school during a tumultuous chapter is a Harvard-educated former Biden administration health official.

OHSU has named Dr. Shereef Elnahal, a Harvard-educated former Biden administration health official, as its sole finalist to lead the institution amid significant financial and cultural challenges

Oregon health insurers preview 2026 premium increases for individuals, small businesses The proposed rate hikes would affect individuals who buy their own health insurance or get coverage through a small-business employer.

Health insurers who sell plans to Oregonians who buy their own insurance or get coverage through a small-business employer are seeking rate hikes for 2026
www.oregonlive.com/health/2025/...

Oregon bill would force hospitals to provide clear, accessible prices of medical services Hospitals say the state legislation is duplicative of existing federal laws but would add to the cost of compliance.

Oregon lawmakers are weighing a bill to make hospital pricing more transparent and accessible to patients. Hospitals say it’s duplicative of federal laws and would increase administrative burdens
www.oregonlive.com/health/2025/...

Keen quietly closed its Portland factory: report The Portland company will open a larger factory in Kentucky, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Keen quietly closed its Portland factory, according to a WSJ report

Trump administration cancels $45 million Oregon State grant for microfluidics research Scientists had hoped to use the money to advance semiconductor, manufacturing and medical technology.

The Trump administration has canceled a $45m grant Oregon State won just this past January for microfluidics research in Corvallis.

No word on whether HP will still get a separate, $53m CHIPS Act grant for microfluidics expansion in Corvallis.

OHSU, Legacy abandon merger plan after months of planning, reviews Oregon Health & Science University announced plans to absorb Legacy Health in 2023, setting off a long regulatory review that came to a sudden end Monday.

OHSU and Legacy Health have called off a blockbuster merger plan that would have reshapeed Oregon’s health care landscape. During months of regulatory review, OHSU — the acquirer — has struggled financially and culturally while Legacy has found firmer financial footing. @kcd.bsky.social reports:

OHSU plans to slow hiring, spending as financial losses mount OHSU’s dire financial update comes as it works to finalize its high-profile acquisition of Legacy.

OHSU is grappling with deeper financial troubles than expected, as losses continue to mount ahead of its planned merger with longtime rival Legacy Health

Oregon leaders go to bat for ballpark but skeptics say ‘the finances don’t make a lot of sense’ The plan needs to overcome questions about funding and the stadium site. Backers also need an owner willing to spend billions for an MLB team.

Things to know about Portland’s push for an MLB team:

1/4: Oregon plans to divert income taxes from player salaries to finance $800M in bonds to pay for a $2B ballpark. That relies on salaries continuing to rise over as long as 30 years and low interest rates, factors outside Oregon’s control.

Deadly, highly contagious virus afflicts domestic rabbits in southern Oregon Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus causes sudden death.

A highly contagious, deadly virus that causes sudden deaths in bunnies has been found in domestic rabbits in southern Oregon

2 in Oregon die of rare brain disease Health officials are still investigating the cause, but most cases are never definitively solved.

Hood River County health officials have identified three cases of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, a rare, rapidly progressing and fatal brain disorder. One was confirmed by autopsy, while two are suspected cases

Oregon pharmacy aims to save rural customers hours of driving for prescriptions The new approach aims to improve convenience, but also avoid people rationing doses or running out of critical medications.

Oregonians in Wheeler County, where there are no pharmacies, will soon have an easier way to access prescriptions without the long drive

Finding a primary care doctor in the Portland area is daunting. Here are some tips Finding a primary care provider isn’t always easy, but there are strategies to help.

Finding a primary care doctor in the Portland area isn’t easy. Here are some tips from health professionals

Portlanders can’t find doctors, and they say it’s only getting worse Patients are beginning to feel the effects of problems experts have been raising for years.

Portlanders can’t find primary care doctors, and they say it’s only getting worse
www.oregonlive.com/health/2025/...

OHSU, UnitedHealthcare make last-minute deal on new insurance contract OHSU and the insurance giant finalized a new contract to keep patients in network.

OHSU and UnitedHealthcare have finalized a new contract to keep patients in network with the insurance giant

What the Trump administration’s abrupt curtailing of pandemic-era health grants means for Oregon The sweeping cuts will cost the state about $117 million in health funding.

Oregon abruptly lost roughly $117 million in public health and mental health funding when the Trump administration suspended a raft of COVID-19 pandemic response grants

People say information wants to be free, but the truth is that if @jamiebgoldberg.bsky.social didn't track down these facts, the public would never know.

Watchdog reporting like this is why local news matters

Unsealed court records name top Nike executives accused of sexual harassment, misconduct The documents were unsealed Tuesday after a three-year court battle with The Oregonian/OregonLive and other news organizations.

Documents unsealed Tuesday after a three-year court battle between Nike and several news organizations detail allegations of sexual misconduct by Nike executives, from seemingly consensual relationships with subordinates to unspecified harassment and unwanted sexual remarks.