Rural Hospital Funding: U.S. lawmakers advanced a five-year extension of the Rural Community Hospital Demonstration, letting rural hospitals test Medicare payment models to stay financially stable and keep care close to home. Oregon Mental Health Access: A federal judge ordered tighter rules for Oregon State Hospital admissions, ending some misdemeanor and low-level felony eligibility and making future extensions harder—aimed at bringing the state back into compliance. Hepatitis B Vaccination Impact: New modeling warns that moving away from universal hepatitis B birth-dose vaccination could raise neonatal infections unless maternal screening and birth-dose coverage among unscreened mothers reach unusually high levels. Hospital/Insurance Contract Moves: MultiCare and Regence reached an agreement restoring in-network status for Yakima-area patients, while negotiations with Premera continue. Workforce & Costs: PacificSource announced layoffs of 97 Oregon workers as it exits individual insurance markets in Montana and shifts strategy. Public Health Preparedness: Lane County’s air agency kicked off “Wildfire Smoke Ready Week,” urging Oregonians—especially kids and people with breathing issues—to set up HEPA filtration and a clean room now. Community Health Leadership: PeaceHealth received a $1 million gift to support its Leadership in Ministry program for healthcare leaders. Safety & Access to Care: Oregon’s unemployment rate held at 5.2% through early 2026, with job growth concentrated in private healthcare and social assistance.