How did Oregon hospitals fare after a rough 2020? It depends on who you ask
But Oregon Health Authority, hospitals agree: Federal relief funding was key
SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) The Oregon Health Authority released statistics Thursday that showed Oregon hospitals were profitable as 2020 ended, despite the COVID-19 pandemic challenges. But the hospitals association responded that other data paints clear a less-rosy picture.
First, a news release from OHA;
Oregon hospitals end 2020 in the black
Statewide hospital financials show $483 million in operating margin despite pandemic
Data released by the Oregon Health Authority today shows hospitals ended 2020 in the black, with a surplus for the year of $483 million representing a 3.3% statewide operating margin, including CARES Act funding. Hospitals statewide ended the year with positive margins and net patient revenue returning to trend in Q3 and Q4 after falling sharply in the second quarter of 2020.
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Oregon Hospital Association Sounds Warnings About the Governor’s Vaccine Timeline As Gov. Kate Brown held a press conference to defend her decision to vaccinate seniors, a key health care group warned of ongoing confusion. COVID-19 vaccine doses in Multnomah County. (Motoya Nakamura) Updated January 25 The Oregon Association of Hospitals & Health Systems expressed concern Friday about whether health care providers could vaccinate as many people as quickly as Gov. Kate Brown has instructed. The governor says school staffers can get COVID-19 vaccines as soon as tomorrow, Jan. 25. Oregonians over 80 can get doses beginning Feb. 8 and the age minimum goes down five years every week after that.
Eligible for the vaccine? Hospital group says don t hold your breath
A state hospital association issued a statement Friday sharing doubts about Gov. Kate Brown’s latest COVID-19 vaccine plan.
Posted: Jan 22, 2021 2:43 PM
Posted By: Chelsea Hunt
LAKE OSWEGO, Ore. – The Oregon Association of Hospitals & Health Systems issued a statement Friday sharing doubts about Gov. Kate Brown’s latest COVID-19 vaccine plan.
CEO Becky Hultberg said they are concerned the supply of doses will not be able to meet the demand for the vaccine in all areas when eligibility opens to educators and older Oregonians.
“Since the state does not control the vaccine supply, Oregonians are being asked to take it on faith that the state can keep to the governor’s timeline,” Hultberg said.
Gov. Kate Brown, other officials defend vaccine rollout pace, priorities
(Update: Hospitals express doubts about governor s timeline)
Say they are keeping commitment to seniors, despite doses for educators
SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) – Gov. Kate Brown and other state officials explained and defended the state’s vaccination priority and rollout during a Friday news conference, while noting the limited availability of doses here and nationwide have led to some difficult choices and public frustration.
“I’m using every single tool we have to get our children back in the classroom this school year,” Brown said, noting a recent study that shows staying in remote learning could result in substantial educational losses, especially in math, as well as the other impacts on families, working mothers and the like.
To speed up the coronavirus vaccination process, public health officials are matching health care providers and employers with hospital systems administering the vaccine in Washington, Multnomah, Clackamas and Columbia Counties. Currently those eligible for the vaccine in Oregon are those in Phase 1A groups 1-4, which includes healthcare workers, caregivers and those in long-term care facilities. COVID-19 vaccination phases (Oregon Health.