Kristine de Leon

ICE fears keep Oregon immigrants from seeking medical care: ‘We’re seeing a massive disruption’ Immigrant families are skipping medical appointments and delaying care as they weigh health risks against fears of detention or deportation.

Doctors across Oregon say many immigrant families are skipping medical appointments and delaying care, weighing health risks against fears of detention or deportation
www.oregonlive.com/health/2026/...

Oregon sues drug companies for $1B, alleging scheme to inflate insulin prices over decades Insulin is often cited as a prime example of soaring drug costs after years of price hike by drug manufacturers.

Oregon sued the nation’s largest insulin makers and pharmacy benefit managers, alleging they colluded to inflate the price of insulin and other diabetes mediations
www.oregonlive.com/health/2026/...

Another big Oregon clinic surprises patients by dropping women’s care services Patients say the closure disrupts pregnancy care and limits local access to women’s health services in the Corvallis area.

The Corvallis Clinic — a major mid-Willamette Valley health provider recently acquired by Optum — plans to close its OB-GYN department early next year, citing the loss of doctors and the inability to recruit replacements
www.oregonlive.com/health/2025/...

Home decor retailer lays off most employees, future uncertain Schoolhouse sold to Food52, a New York food and lifestyle publisher, in 2021.

A Portland maker of trendy home fixtures has abruptly laid off most of its staff. @kcd.bsky.social reports:

‪ #TobRegSky #PedSky #MedSky #EpiSky #policysky #polisky🛟🫁🌍⚖️
Great reporting by @kcd.bsky.social for @oregonian.com on #TearGas health effects on people living near Portland ICE protest sites. Thanks for the interview !

Appeals court, in 2 to 1 split, puts hold on restraining order barring Trump from deploying Oregon National Guard Senior Circuit Judge Susan P. Graber wrote a 35-page dissent.

Appeals court allows Trump to deploy National Guard troops to Portland www.oregonlive.com/crime/2025/1...

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/...

Schoolhouse Electric building in NW Portland is up for sale or lease Schoolhouse, sold four years ago to an ecommerce company, appears to be vacating all or most of the building.

"Home decor company Schoolhouse’s Northwest Portland headquarters, a 115-year-old industrial building in Northwest Portland, is on the market," per @kcd.bsky.social @oregonian.com

www.oregonlive.com/retail/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.

Pamplin name pulled from University of Portland’s business school The university said Pamplin’s name was removed after an agreement "concluded."

"The change comes after after Pamplin and his Pamplin Corp. admitted in a legal settlement that they engaged in 'numerous transactions' they knew violated pension laws and risked shortchanging retirees from Pamplin’s companies," per @matthewkish.bsky.social

www.oregonlive.com/business/202...

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

At troubled Portland high-rise, ‘there’s no money to repay anyone,’ lender lawyer says A judge last week ruled the property, anchored by a Ritz-Carlton hotel, could be transferred to a lender to avert a foreclosure.

“All of the investors here have lost money,” said an attorney for lender Ready Capital. The lawyer said that includes developer Walter Bowen, who put in money of his own and “has been brought down to a very low level” by the troubled project.

@oregonian.com
www.oregonlive.com/business/202...

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

Tower anchored by Portland Ritz-Carlton is $85M underwater on construction loan, lender says New court filings describe dire financial challenges for owners of the tower, which houses the Ritz-Carlton hotel, the Flock food hall, offices and condos.

The Block 216 tower that holds Portland’s Ritz-Carlton hotel encountered “catastrophic setbacks from the beginning” and is now only worth $425 million — far short of the $510 million owed on a loan that funded its construction, a lender says in new court documents.
www.oregonlive.com/business/202...

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/...