That's exactly right. If OHA’s director is splitting time between Oregon and Stanford, it’s no wonder things here are moving at the speed of molasses uphill. Maybe instead of moonlighting in California, she could focus on, I don’t know, running the health agency responsible for Oregonians' lives? Prioritizing patients over administrative inertia—wild concept, I know.
This is a diagnosis for what is wrong with Oregon and its largest city: “(T)here’s a difference between having resources on paper and using them effectively in practice.”
The amounts of money this state and Portland spend with poor results are criminal.
Exactly. Oregon doesn’t have a revenue problem—it has a competence problem. We throw billions at problems and somehow end up with more committees, more consultants, and fewer actual solutions. At some point, you have to ask: is the goal to fix things, or just to keep the bureaucracy well-fed?
I am co-sponsoring a couple of bills. One that will stymie the influence of large corporations of US Renal Care. Another, that will require healthcare providers, like dialysis centers, to give six months notice before closing. They would also need to have a plan to ensure ongoing care of patients.
This is not a partisan issue, so I hope it has broad support. Of course, it’s difficult to judge if that actually happens! It’s always right to do the right thing, even when the odds are not favorable, so let’s never stop working for it. 🙏🏻
My sis died of kidney failure in NC. This hits home. Hopefully you and allies can cut thru the tape to get these patients a facility opened near them. Thanks for your advocacy here. And hey, call a TV station. Go public. Best.
Betty, first off, I’m sorry about your sister. This issue is personal for a lot of people, and it’s infuriating that we have to fight so hard just to get basic care in place. And yes—this needs to be on every TV station, front page, and social media feed until OHA decides to act like an agency responsible for actual human beings instead of just another cog in the government excuse machine.
Pains me to say, but Cyrus was largely right. A lot of the delay was due to corrupt state of the commercialization of dialysis that was birthed by 1972 legislation. Instead of quibbling among ourselves we should contact Bonamici and Merkely and Wyden to help clear the problem. My distinct impression is that it is stalled at the Medicare/Medicaid leverl. The big sticking point is Tillamook does not have required isolation room.
DOGE is rightly pronounced "dodgy" because it is. Chopping away at the government is stupid.
I called the clinic and was told the kidney center was operating and was given a phone number. The newspaper article mentions 3 day a week operation, not today I guess.
I take back the nice things I said before. I don't know what made me so guillible.
I am very afraid the denigration of government started by Reagan and continued ever since for political spin will be our undoing. You seem to like doing it a lot
Well, you a Suzanne did send a good letter to DJT, for all the good it will do.
Dozens of emails indicating the ongoing delays. Here is a snippet of one from OHA dated Feb 13, 2025 – OHA confirms ongoing delays in licensing and federal approvals:
“OHA is committed to working through the process as efficiently as possible to ensure that this critical service is available in the North Coast area for those who need dialysis. The primary challenge is that this is an older dialysis facility situated in a basement that is attempting to re-open under new management. The previous licensee was reviewed under older and since outdated building codes and needs substantial waivers to be eligible for state licensure and federal certification.”
Feb 13 date screams at me, not exactly a year, still I do have sympathy with complaints about permitting. It's a big issue and I'm sure it impacts housing and many other elements of our lives.
I just wish you would tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.
I think you have a tendency to just throw rocks because some people lap it up and you've got your eye on being our next Senator.
Good for you Cyrus. I thought Adventist was stepping up to cover the cost. It does seem to me a little strange Adventist can't offer dialysis. Could it be our "for profit" medical system is letting us all down. But it's very good of you to make some noise and dialysis does seem like something OHA should worry about.
It appears we need an Oregon DOGE.
Maybe the OHA director, Sejal Hathi should be less concerned about moonlighting in California and direct more of her efforts to caring for Oregonians?
https://www.wweek.com/news/2025/02/19/oregon-health-authority-director-takes-part-time-post-at-stanford-university-hospital/
That's exactly right. If OHA’s director is splitting time between Oregon and Stanford, it’s no wonder things here are moving at the speed of molasses uphill. Maybe instead of moonlighting in California, she could focus on, I don’t know, running the health agency responsible for Oregonians' lives? Prioritizing patients over administrative inertia—wild concept, I know.
Yep and Kotek who should be requiring top leadership to focus on Oregonians approved her work in California. Seems like the problem starts at the top.
Thank you for sharing this article.
This is a diagnosis for what is wrong with Oregon and its largest city: “(T)here’s a difference between having resources on paper and using them effectively in practice.”
The amounts of money this state and Portland spend with poor results are criminal.
Exactly. Oregon doesn’t have a revenue problem—it has a competence problem. We throw billions at problems and somehow end up with more committees, more consultants, and fewer actual solutions. At some point, you have to ask: is the goal to fix things, or just to keep the bureaucracy well-fed?
Thanks for bringing this to our awareness. What concrete action can you and our legislators do to push this solution?
I am co-sponsoring a couple of bills. One that will stymie the influence of large corporations of US Renal Care. Another, that will require healthcare providers, like dialysis centers, to give six months notice before closing. They would also need to have a plan to ensure ongoing care of patients.
This is not a partisan issue, so I hope it has broad support. Of course, it’s difficult to judge if that actually happens! It’s always right to do the right thing, even when the odds are not favorable, so let’s never stop working for it. 🙏🏻
My sis died of kidney failure in NC. This hits home. Hopefully you and allies can cut thru the tape to get these patients a facility opened near them. Thanks for your advocacy here. And hey, call a TV station. Go public. Best.
Betty Holladay
Lake Oswego, OR.
Betty, first off, I’m sorry about your sister. This issue is personal for a lot of people, and it’s infuriating that we have to fight so hard just to get basic care in place. And yes—this needs to be on every TV station, front page, and social media feed until OHA decides to act like an agency responsible for actual human beings instead of just another cog in the government excuse machine.
Pains me to say, but Cyrus was largely right. A lot of the delay was due to corrupt state of the commercialization of dialysis that was birthed by 1972 legislation. Instead of quibbling among ourselves we should contact Bonamici and Merkely and Wyden to help clear the problem. My distinct impression is that it is stalled at the Medicare/Medicaid leverl. The big sticking point is Tillamook does not have required isolation room.
DOGE is rightly pronounced "dodgy" because it is. Chopping away at the government is stupid.
I don't believe OHA has anything to do with the lack of local dialysis, they're just a convenient target and serve the sinister purpose of eroding our faith in government. For that matter I don't believe there is a local lack of dialysis. Here's a link to Headlight Herald article that gives a better description than Cyrus' https://www.tillamookheadlightherald.com/news/tillamook-kidney-center-prepares-for-opening/article_19badaa6-b0d6-11ef-9005-733ab83857cd.html
I called the clinic and was told the kidney center was operating and was given a phone number. The newspaper article mentions 3 day a week operation, not today I guess.
I take back the nice things I said before. I don't know what made me so guillible.
Jim? I just spoke to the president of the hospital this morning. It’s not open.
Maybe, but not for the last year. Feb to Dec was lack of a company willing to come here. I still think you distorted things badly.
Your information appears to be incorrect or incomplete, which is leading to some inaccurate conclusions.
Pray tell, are you saying Headlight Herald lied in its Dec 5 story? How exactly is OHA holding up kidney center. Here's link. https://www.tillamookheadlightherald.com/news/tillamook-kidney-center-prepares-for-opening/article_19badaa6-b0d6-11ef-9005-733ab83857cd.html
I am very afraid the denigration of government started by Reagan and continued ever since for political spin will be our undoing. You seem to like doing it a lot
Well, you a Suzanne did send a good letter to DJT, for all the good it will do.
Dozens of emails indicating the ongoing delays. Here is a snippet of one from OHA dated Feb 13, 2025 – OHA confirms ongoing delays in licensing and federal approvals:
“OHA is committed to working through the process as efficiently as possible to ensure that this critical service is available in the North Coast area for those who need dialysis. The primary challenge is that this is an older dialysis facility situated in a basement that is attempting to re-open under new management. The previous licensee was reviewed under older and since outdated building codes and needs substantial waivers to be eligible for state licensure and federal certification.”
Feb 13 date screams at me, not exactly a year, still I do have sympathy with complaints about permitting. It's a big issue and I'm sure it impacts housing and many other elements of our lives.
I just wish you would tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.
I think you have a tendency to just throw rocks because some people lap it up and you've got your eye on being our next Senator.
Good for you Cyrus. I thought Adventist was stepping up to cover the cost. It does seem to me a little strange Adventist can't offer dialysis. Could it be our "for profit" medical system is letting us all down. But it's very good of you to make some noise and dialysis does seem like something OHA should worry about.