Public News Service

A student at Portland Opportunities and Industrialization Center uses the organization's new self-measuring blood pressure cuff. (American Heart Association)

Wednesday, September 18, 2024

First self-measuring blood pressure site sets up in OR community center

Self-measuring blood pressure sites are coming to the Northwest, starting with a community organization in Portland. The American Heart Association …

About 3.2 million Medicare enrollees are expected to save money in 2025 under a new law capping prescription drug costs. (Scott Hales/Adobe Stock)

Monday, September 16, 2024

Report: Oregonians to save money with prescription drug cost cap in 2025

Tens of thousands of Oregonians are expected to see savings next year when prescription drug costs are capped, according to a new report from AARP…

Oregon has been developing a metric on social and emotional care for children on the state's Medicaid program since 2018. (MIA Studio/Adobe Stock)

New metric in OR will make social-emotional health care more accessible

Oregon aims to make social and emotional health care for young children more available with a new metric. The Oregon Health Authority has adopted …

Nurses at Samaritan Pacific Communities Hospital say retention has been hard because of lower pay than other Samaritan hospitals. (Oregon Nurses Association)

OR nurses push for new union contract with informational picket

Nurses with an expired union contract in Oregon are holding an informational picket on Friday. Negotiations on a contract with Samaritan Pacific …

The Oregon Health Authority's hepatitis plan includes four goals: prevent new infections, improve health outcomes, eliminate health disparities and inequities, and improve the use of surveillance and data. (Azeemud-Deen Jacobs/Adobe Stock)

After recent scare, Oregon touts hepatitis prevention plan

World Hepatitis Day is this Sunday, and for the Oregon Health Authority, it's an opportunity to promote its plan to eliminate hepatitis across the …

Telehealth can cut down on the miles that folks in rural communities have to travel to see a doctor. (kalinichenkod/Adobe Stock)

Medicare telehealth policies need updating, reapproval, report says

Telehealth has been key to health care in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, but some of the flexibilities for this type of care for Medicare …

Janitors and security officers were seen as essential workers during the pandemic. (Adobe Stock)

Portland area security guards, janitors sign new union contracts

Members of the Service Employees' International Union start this week in the Portland area with new contracts for their work. SEIU Local 49 members …

The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline was rolled out nationwide in July 2022. (7N23/Adobe Stock)

Report on 988 crisis line rollout highlights OR youth suicide prevention

A new report examines the rollout of the 988 mental health crisis line in each state and found Oregon has more work to do. The national three-digit 9…

Providence Oregon City is among the six hospitals where nurses are striking this week. (Tada Images/Adobe Stock)

Providence nurses at six OR hospitals to strike this week

Providence nurses across Oregon are going on strike on Tuesday. It could be one of the biggest nurse strikes in state history. More than 3,000 …

When finalized, the new contract for SEIU Local 49 janitors will be in place for four years. (SEIU Local 49)

Contract negotiations underway for Portland-area janitors

It is the first full week of contract negotiations for janitors who clean the buildings of some of the region's biggest employers. The janitors…

A new clinic on the Grand Ronde reservation includes solar panels so the building has power even during an outage. (Photo by Claire Carlson)

Clinic on OR reservation drives tribal self-reliance

By Claire Carlson for The Daily Yonder.Broadcast version by Eric Tegethoff for Oregon News Service for the Public News Service/Daily Yonder Collaborat…

Many Oregonians lack air conditioners even as extreme heat events increase in the state. (M-Production/Adobe Stock)

OR first in nation to use Medicaid dollars to protect against climate change

By Samantha Young for KFF Health News.Broadcast version by Eric Tegethoff for Oregon News Service reporting for the KFF Health News-Public News Servic…

Early deaths for older adults decreased from their peak during the start of the pandemic in 2020, a new report from the United Health Foundation showed. (bobex73/Adobe Stock)

OR ranks 16th in report on older adults' well-being

A new report looks at the well-being of older Americans. The America's Health Ranking Senior Report showed a mixed bag for the living conditions of …

Legacy Mount Hood Medical Center is located in Gresham, in the Portland metro area. (M.O. Stevens/Wikmiedia Commons)

OR hospital workers celebrate decision to unionize

Workers at an Oregon hospital are celebrating their recent vote in favor of unionizing. More than 260 Legacy Mount Hood health-care workers voted to …

While immigrants make up 10% of Oregon's population, they make up 13% of the working-age population ages 16-64, and a corresponding 13% of the labor force. (Natalie Kiyah, Oregon Food Bank)

'Food for All Oregonians' aims to extend food benefits to immigrants

Oregon advocates are shining a spotlight on hunger and related issues ahead of the fall elections. A recent report from the Immigrant Research …

Air quality can suffer greatly during the summer when the Northwest experiences wildfires. (Tada Images/Adobe Stock)

Air Quality Awareness Week starts with focus on wildfire smoke

Agencies are raising awareness about air quality across the country this week. Led by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Air Quality …

If symptoms of stroke are recognized within the first four and a half hours, experts said irreversible damage can be prevented. (marina_ua/Adobe Stock)

Stroke Awareness Month: Quick response key to treatment

May is Stroke Awareness Month and health experts stressed time is of the essence when responding to the medical condition. The acronym "BE FAST" can …

Nurses from Providence St. Vincent in Portland held an informational picket amid contract negotiations. (Oregon Nurses Assocation)

OR nurses at six Providence hospitals unite for union negotiations

Nurses at Providence hospitals across Oregon are coming together to fight for new union contracts. Negotiations are happening now or in the near …

Nearly 70,000 people in Oregon are living with Alzheimer's disease. (Beaunitta Van Wyk/peopleimages.com/Adobe Stock)

National Healthcare Decisions Day: Make end-of-life planning early

It's National Healthcare Decisions Day, which highlights the importance of planning for the future when it comes to medical choices. In particular…

Starting in 2025, insulin prices cannot surpass $105 for a 90-day supply in Oregon. (Orawan/Adobe Stock)

OR lawmakers limit insulin costs, prohibit increases

Oregon lawmakers during the 2024 session took another step to further limit the price of insulin. Gov. Tina Kotek signed a bill into law to cap out-…

Doctors say people should get regular checkups to ensure their hearts are healthy. (rocketclips/Adobe Stock)

American Heart Month: Heart disease treatment often delayed for women

February is American Heart Month, a time to focus on potential cardiovascular risks. Health experts said women especially should consider their …

Establishing good brushing habits early help against preventable oral diseases later in life. (Azee,peopleimages.com/Adobe Stock)

Children's Dental Health Month: Experts encourage good habits early

February is Children's Dental Health Month and experts are stressing the importance of focusing on children's teeth early. Later in life, poor oral …

Los legisladores de Oregon podr�an realizar cambios a la Medida 110 durante su sesi�n de un mes de duraci�n este a�o. (Only 4K Ultra HD/Adobe Stock)

Defensores rechazan esfuerzos legislativos para recriminalizar posesión de drogas

Al iniciarse la sesión legislativa de Oregon, los legisladores podrían introducir cambios en una medida aprobada por los votantes que …

Oregon lawmakers could make changes to Measure 110 during their short, month-long session this year.(Only 4K Ultra HD/Adobe Stock)

Advocates push back on legislative efforts to recriminalize drug possession

As the Oregon legislative session opens, lawmakers could make changes to a voter-passed measure that decriminalized small amounts of drugs and opened …

Victims of sexual extortion schemes are advised to report it the FBI or local law enforcement immediately. (Cavan/Adobe Stock)

Teen boys increasingly targeted in ‘sextortion’ crimes, FBI warns

January is Human Trafficking Prevention Month, and the FBI says financially motivated sextortion -- often targeting teen boys -- went up 20% from …

The 2020 wildfire season was one of the most destructive in Oregon's history. (mdurson/Adobe Stock)

Longer wildfire seasons have mental-health impacts in rural America

By John Upton and Kaitlyn Trudeau for Climate Central and Claire Carlson for The Daily Yonder.Broadcast version by Eric Tegethoff for Oregon News Serv…

About 2.4 million Americans have been diagnosed with Crohn's disease or colitis. (Rana/Adobe Stock)

Crohn's, Colitis Awareness Week puts focus on 'invisible disease'

This week is Crohn's and Colitis Awareness Week, shedding light on what some call an invisible disease. Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are …

The PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center in Eugene is closing this year. (Visitor7/Wikimedia Commons)

Home health, hospice nurses in OR call for union contract agreement

Nurses who care for patients in their homes in the Willamette Valley are pushing to get their union contract negotiations across the finish line…

Midwives and other health staff are looking to unionize at 10 Legacy Health locations. (honcharr/Adobe Stock)

OR women's health clinic staff seek to unionize to improve conditions

Workers at Legacy's women's health clinics have announced their intention to unionize. About 60 nurse midwives and other health staff at clinics in …

Caregiving duties differ based on the medical conditions of the person being cared for. (Chinnapong/Adobe Stock)

Family caregivers reminded to take care of themselves

November is National Family Caregivers Month and a few tips can help people with these duties. Executive Director of the Oregon organization Aging …

Oregon saw a drop in early childhood education enrollment between 2019 and 2021. (thepoeticimage/Adobe Stock)

Health report: Mothers, children struggling across U.S.

A new report found a troubling rise in health challenges for mothers and children across the country. The United Health Foundation has released its …

Kaiser Permanente employeee Keven Dardon spoke in Salem this session in favor of a safe staffing bill in Oregon hospitals. (SEIU Local 49)

Over Labor Day Weekend, Kaiser Workers Take Strike Authorization Vote

As Labor Day approaches, health care workers at Kaiser Permanente are weighing authorizing a strike to demand better working conditions. The …

Under a new law, there can be only one nurse per patient in operating rooms and during active labor and delivery. (Rawpixel.com/Adobe Stock)

Implementation to Begin for OR's First-in-Nation Nurse-Patient Ratios

A law to decrease Oregon nurses' workload goes into effect Friday. Passed by state lawmakers this session, it includes the first nurse-to-patient …

Community health centers serve one in 11 people across the country. (Kirsten Davis, peopleimages.com/Adobe Stock)

Week Spotlights Community Health Centers Removing Barriers to Care

Events across the country are marking this as National Health Center Week, including in Oregon. Community health centers provide affordable health …

Former President Harry Truman was present when President Lyndon Johnson enacted Medicare. (White House Press Office)

Proponents Celebrate 58th Anniversary of Medicare's Start

Nearly six decades after its creation, Medicare continues to provide a health-care safety net for older Americans. On July 30, 1965, President …

Kaiser Permanente operates 39 hospitals across the country. (Tada Images/Adobe Stock)

OR Kaiser Workers Hold Info Pickets as Union Negotiations Continue

Oregon workers for Kaiser Permanente are holding informational pickets this week to highlight their ongoing union negotiations with the hospital syste…

There are more than 130 farmers markets across Oregon. (Tamela/Adobe Stock)

How to Eat Healthy, Even as Food Prices Rise

Higher food costs are a concern for many Oregonians, but one local health expert said people can still manage to eat healthy. Chelsea Warren…

Nurses at Oregon Health and Science University in Portland held an informational picket on June 29. (Oregon Nurses Association)

Nurses Bargain with OHSU at Multiple OR Hospitals

Nurses at three hospitals in Oregon are looking to overcome impasses in negotiations over their union contracts. Last week, informational pickets …

Implementation of nurse staffing standards in Oregon hospitals will phase in through 2026. (pikselstock/Adobe Stock)

OR Lawmakers Approve First-in-Nation Nursing Staffing Ratios

Oregon lawmakers have passed a first-of-its-kind bill creating minimum nurse-to-patient ratios in hospitals. House Bill 2697 creates minimum …

A bill to repeal Oregon's residency requirement for its aid-in-dying law received bipartisan support. (CameraCraft/Adobe Stock)

OR Repeals Residency Requirement for Aid-in-Dying Law

Legislation that eliminates the residency requirement for Oregon's aid-in-dying law is awaiting the governor's signature. House Bill 2279 repeals …

A new report on child well-being ranks Oregon 16th in its family and community category. (Steve/Adobe Stock)

Report: OR Lags in Providing Education for Young People

Oregon ranks in the middle of the pack in a new report on child well-being. The Annie E. Casey Foundation's annual Kids Count Data Book ranks the …

More than 600 people showed up to be part of an informational picket for nurses held outside St. Charles Bend on Apr. 24. (Oregon Nurses Association)

Nurses at Largest Hospital East of Cascades Vote on Strike Authorization

Nurses at Oregon's largest hospital east of the Cascades are voting this week on whether to authorize a strike. Frustrated by five months of union …

A new survey found 92% of respondents age 45 and older say staying physically healthy is important. (JackF/Adobe Stock)

Survey: Financial Strains Top of Mind for Older Oregonians

A new survey found older Oregonians are concerned about the cost of living in many aspects of their lives. The Vital Voices research program from …

Nurses at Providence Seaside Hospital serve patients on a wide range of the Oregon coast. (Oregon Nurses Association)

Struggling to Keep Staff, OR Nurses Rally in Seaside

Nurses at an Oregon hospital are holding a rally to bring attention to wage issues they say are making it hard to retain staff. Nurses at Providence …

Oregon's budget writing committee has proposed a $31 billion budget over the next two years. (Rex Wholster/Adobe Stock)

State Agency Budget Cut Proposal Could Hit Rural OR Hardest

Under a proposal in the Legislature, Oregon's service agencies could see spending cuts, which could hit hardest in rural areas. Under the Committee …

Black Americans are the most likely to suffer from insufficient sleep. (ChadBridwell/Adobe Stock)

Get More Zzz's, Health Experts Say During Sleep Awareness Month

March is Sleep Awareness Month and health experts say Americans are not getting enough of it. United Health Foundation data found more than 32% of …

People are put in precarious positions when they cannot afford their medical bills. (volgariver/Adobe Stock)

OR Nonprofit Hospitals Fail to Provide Financial Aid to Low-Income Patients

Oregon's nonprofit hospitals are not doing enough to provide assistance on medical bills for low-income patients, but a bill in Salem aims to change …

Kids can grow accustomed to foods like vegetables and fruits even if they're picky eaters. (Rawpixel.com/Adobe Stock)

50th Nutrition Month: Introducing Healthy Foods to Picky Eaters

This March marks the 50th anniversary of National Nutrition Month. Making sure children eat healthy can be tricky. Chuck Larimer, an elementary …

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PNS Daily Newscast: Afternoon Update - September 18, 2024

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