============================================================ Health Options Digest January 14-20, 2002 Coalition for Health Options In Central Eugene-Springfield ============================================================ In this issue... * UPCOMING EVENTS - Tue 1/22, 5:30 pm - Eugene Planning Commission - Tue 1/22, 6:30 pm - Springfield City Council - Fri 1/25, 11:50 am - City Club of Eugene * HEALTH OPTIONS NEWS - Owners offer to give land for new hospital - State pouring money into roads - I-5/Beltline Road improvement money approved by the state - State will widen, fix highways * COMMENTARY - Matter of priorities - Connecting the dots - An Arlie donation? - Mission abandoned - Cartoon hit a nerve - Game played on the field - Problem runs deep - Eugene Weekly: Slant - Treasure chest - Watchdogs whispering - Hospital got a bargain - Tax avoidance legal - Commentary: Springfield government practices sustainability - More suggestions for revitalizing downtown - A pernicious power - True sustainability * OTHER NEWS - Arlie buys acreage near LCC - Non-profit director hopes to rebuild store property - High court examines health rules - State inspection backs up OHSU nursing claims - Union challenges extra pay for nurses - One who stayed: nurse never considered protesting but finds it hard to keep working - One who walked: first-time striker loves job but wants more recognition and more money - Nurses, OHSU agree to more talks through state mediator - Hospital, nurses halt negotiations * KEY * CREDITS ============================================================ UPCOMING EVENTS ============================================================ TUE 1/22, 5:30 PM - EUGENE PLANNING COMMISSION "Work Session: Nodal Development Implementation, High Priority Areas" Review public comment and background material on potential nodal development areas within Eugene urban growth boundary and recommend selected areas to City Council. (more...) * Where: Sloat Room, 99 West 10th Ave., Eugene * Contact: Jan Childs, 682-5208 ------------------------------------------------------------ TUE 1/22, 6:30 PM - SPRINGFIELD CITY COUNCIL "Springfield City Beat: Big Night" Community watchdogs will be on high alert Tuesday night. The City Council agenda that evening is especially full, featuring a number of controversial and groundbreaking issues. Among them is a bid by developer John Musumeci to buy prime real estate in Gateway that formerly was earmarked for a sports center; an anti-prostitution and drug-free zone for downtown; and an ordinance geared to keep teens from buying tobacco. (end) [Matt Cooper, RG city & region story, 1/19/02, page 1B] http://www.registerguard.com/news/20020119/1b.cr.spcitybeat.0119.html * Where: Council Meeting Room, 225 Fifth St., Springfield * Contact: Kim Krebs, 726-3700 * Agenda: http://www.ci.springfield.or.us/CMO/2002Council/012202agenda.PDF * Items of particular interest (likely starting at 7:15 pm): 3. Amendments to articles of the Springfield Development Code (SDC) to allow wellness centers as a secondary use to community centers, Jo. No. 01-11-221. Ordinance No. 4 Ð- An ordinance amending the Springfield Development Code, Article 2, Definitions, Section 2.020 and Article 23, PLO Public Lands and Open Space, Sections 23.020 And 23.100. Motion: None. Conduct public hearing and first reading of ordinance. 5. Public hearing regarding written offer to purchase 22 acres of city-owned sports center property. Motion: Conduct public hearing and defer discussion to the executive session to be held later this evening. ------------------------------------------------------------ FRI 1/25, 11:50 AM - CITY CLUB OF EUGENE "Volunteers in Medicine: Sister Monica Heeran" The medical professionals of Volunteers in Medicine provide health services to Lane County low income residents who are ineligible for Medicaid or other forms of government medical assistance. Sister Monica Heeran, who heads this program, will discuss why this non-profit organization was formed, its community support, its impact on the community and its sustainability. (more...) http://www.cityclubofeugene.org/calendar/2002_01_25.html * Where: Eugene Hilton, 12th Floor * Contact: 485-7433, info@cityofeugene.org * Rebroadcast: Mon 1/28, 6:30 pm, KLCC, FM 89.7 ============================================================ HEALTH OPTIONS NEWS ============================================================ OWNERS OFFER TO GIVE LAND FOR NEW HOSPITAL Just when you thought Eugene's hospital soap opera couldn't get any stranger, along come Dexter timber dealers Norman and Melvin McDougal. The McDougals are offering free land on the southeast border of Eugene for any major health care organization interested in putting a hospital there, said the McDougals' development manager, Todd Alberts. With the planned departure of PeaceHealth's Sacred Heart Medical Center from Eugene to Springfield's Gateway area, the McDougal brothers figure that Eugene is entitled to have another hospital in the city limits, Alberts said Wednesday. So, they're offering part of a 350-acre tract they own on the north side of 30th Avenue, east of the Spring Boulevard/30th Avenue intersection, he said. (more...) [Christian Wihtol & Tim Christie, RG front page story, 1/17/02, page 1A] http://www.registerguard.com/news/20020117/1a.hospland.0117.html ------------------------------------------------------------ STATE POURING MONEY INTO ROADS Salem -- The state kicked off the biggest spate of road, bridge and highway projects in a decade Wednesday when the Oregon Transportation Commission approved a $400 million list of construction projects. They include nearly $39 million in Lane County, ranging from an $18 million overhaul of the Interstate 5/Belt Line Road interchange to a $629,000 repaving project on Cottage Grove's Goshen/Divide Highway. The 131 projects that won the commission's approval will be undertaken during the next six years. The state will borrow the $400 million through bond sales, and the debt will be repaid with revenue from the 2001 Legislature's increase in vehicle title transfer fees. (more...) [David Steves, RG city & region story, 1/17/02, page 1D] http://www.registerguard.com/news/20020117/1d.cr.roadmoney.0117.html ------------------------------------------------------------ I-5/BELTLINE ROAD IMPROVEMENT MONEY APPROVED BY THE STATE A state agency approved $18 million Wednesday for changes to the Interstate 5/Beltline Road interchange along with money for several other local road projects. The interchange work will smooth out a dangerous curve on the southbound I-5 off-ramp onto West Beltline and put an off-ramp next to it for eastbound Beltline traffic, Bob Pirrie, ODOT's Lane County area manager, said Thursday. A traffic signal will be installed where the ramp meets Beltline Road and drivers will make left-hand turns onto eastbound Beltline. That exit will replace an existing cloverleaf exit. The money will also pay for a third lane for westbound Beltline Road from I-5 to Coburg Road, he said. (more...) [SN community story, 1/19/02] http://www.springfieldnews.com/news/community/sn_community-02.htm#TopOfPage http://www.springfieldnews.com/2002/news0119/community/sn_community-02.htm#TopOfPage ------------------------------------------------------------ STATE WILL WIDEN, FIX HIGHWAYS Salem -- The Oregon Transportation Commission doled out $400 million Wednesday to widen highways, build new interchanges and fix bridges and roads across the state, putting into motion the biggest investment in the state's highway system in a decade. (more...) [James Mayer, Oregonian, 01/17/02] http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/index.ssf?/xml/story.ssf/html_standard.xsl?/base/front_page/101135854722478176.xml ============================================================ COMMENTARY ============================================================ MATTER OF PRIORITIES If The Register-Guard would have spent more effort to keep our hospital in Eugene and less on covering the University of Oregon's football team, I think everyone would be better off. (end) [Kenneth J. Asbra, Eugene, RG letter to editor, 1/14/02] http://www.registerguard.com/news/20020114/ed.letters.0114.html ------------------------------------------------------------ CONNECTING THE DOTS Until I read state Sen. Tony Corcoran's comments (letters, Jan. 9), I was hoping my memory was faulty regarding the last six months' revelations of the details of the financial associations among PeaceHealth, John Musumeci and The Gang of 9. But, alas, memory served, and the improprieties were as they seemed. No wonder PeaceHealth senior executives looked so uncomfortable in TV interviews. No wonder we've had to endure a shrill character assassination campaign against elected city representatives. No wonder sincere efforts at actual dialogue were churlishly slapped aside, since the real agenda of The Gang of 9 is to remove obstacles to real estate development and windfall profits. No wonder they tried so hard and so long to hide their names. My appreciation to Corcoran, The Register-Guard and other local news media. Over these past months, citizens have received all the information they need to connect the dots and consider the picture that's been revealed. (end) [Linda Powell, Eugene, RG letter to editor, 1/14/02] http://www.registerguard.com/news/20020114/ed.letters.0114.html ------------------------------------------------------------ AN ARLIE DONATION? I wonder if PeaceHealth CEO Alan Yordy has bought any bridges lately for Eugene. Arlie & Co.'s John Musumeci, being a good citizen, could donate the $18 million profit to the PeaceHealth building fund. What a nice tax deduction. (end) [Bob Hardwick, Springfield, RG letter to editor, 1/16/02] http://www.registerguard.com/news/20020116/ed.letters.0116.html ------------------------------------------------------------ MISSION ABANDONED The public needs to know why events are going so terribly awry at PeaceHealth. Most of my family was born at Sacred Heart Medical Center; it was a wonderful organization. How did PeaceHealth CEO Alan Yordy allow Arlie & Co. to borrow hospital money, then, based in part on the loan, take away $18 million in profits? If Sacred Heart were a junk-bond brokerage, the outcome would be understood. Yet this is a hospital with an unmistakably relevant statement of ethics. PeaceHealth's mission statement calls for the organization to: "... promote just distribution of heath care resources ... hold ourselves accountable to exercise ethical and responsible stewardship ... financial and environmental resources." Empty words? PeaceHealth has abandoned its mission. It is plainly not ethical for the hospital to promote massive resources to flow to the coffers of a man who (allegedly) spits in nuns' faces. Arlie's John Musumeci, in deed and appearance, bears an uncanny resemblance to the old Boss Tweed of Victorian New York corruption fame. We want the truth. Local or federal district attorneys, investigate this piracy! (end) [Tom Cook, Eugene, RG letter to editor, 1/16/02] http://www.registerguard.com/news/20020116/ed.letters.0116.html ------------------------------------------------------------ CARTOON HIT A NERVE Alan Yordy is my friend. He has my respect and affection. I don't take kindly to your Jan. 10 editorial cartoon representing his imminent death, figuratively or otherwise. PeaceHealth's corporate business decisions are part of our public life and are fair game for satire. But for this reader, and I suspect all others who care for Yordy, your cartooning of his body being wheeled into a hospital emergency room hit a nerve. In future, please think it through. (end) [Scott Carpenter, Eugene, RG letter to editor, 1/16/02] http://www.registerguard.com/news/20020116/ed.letters.0116.html ------------------------------------------------------------ GAME PLAYED ON THE FIELD Kenneth Asbra's contention (letters, Jan. 14) that The Register-Guard should be held responsible for PeaceHealth's move to Springfield is as logical as contending that the University of Oregon's press office should claim responsibility for the football team's 11-1 record. A football game is decided on the field, and the hospital issue was decided at City Hall. We could have used even more coverage of the excellent performance by the Oregon football team to compensate for the dismal performance of the Eugene City Council. (end) [Martyn Lindley, Eugene, RG letter to editor, 1/17/02] http://www.registerguard.com/news/20020117/ed.letters.0117.html ------------------------------------------------------------ PROBLEM RUNS DEEP In response to Kenneth Asbra's Jan. 14 letter, "Matter of priorities," I do not think he can blame The Register-Guard or the coverage of the University of Oregon's football team for the demise of "our hospital" in Eugene. The problem goes a lot deeper than that. Asbra is obviously not a fan of our beloved Ducks. [David E. Ward, Eugene, RG letter to editor, 1/17/02] http://www.registerguard.com/news/20020117/ed.letters.0117.html ------------------------------------------------------------ EUGENE WEEKLY: SLANT In planning for the second phase of Bus Rapid Transit, the Highway 99 route from downtown Eugene to the Barger Drive area should be the highest priority. The demographics of the Bethel area indicate a potentially high ridership in this growing residential area. The other option, a loop up Coburg Road and east to Springfield, has some merit, but Sacred Heart might never be built in north Springfield, and why should we make it easier for people to get to pedestrian-unfriendly Gateway Mall? Likewise, Costco is not a likely destination for bus-bound shoppers. A gallon of artichoke hearts and 50-roll pack of toilet paper and your shopping spree is over, baby! (end) [EW news short, 1/17/02] http://www.eugeneweekly.com/news.html#shorts http://www.eugeneweekly.com/archive/01_10_02/news.html#shorts ------------------------------------------------------------ TREASURE CHEST I am very perturbed by the data presented in the R-G article on Jan. 6 re: the PeaceHealth land acquisition along the McKenzie River. A few questions come to mind: How did PeaceHealth amass such an enormous sum of money (about $1,000 for each man, woman and child in Lane County)? And how could they afford to sit on it awaiting the purchase of something that has so little to do with health care? Is there any other business or agency here so fortunate to have such an overflowing treasure chest? Could someone else have provided (or could they provide in the future) quality health care to this community for $350 million less, thereby freeing up that sum of money to be utilized within the local business community instead of retaining it in the "investment portfolio" of the "non-profit" corporation? And considering the casual manner in which the PeaceHealth officials justify the exorbitant prices they paid for their inappropriate parcel, why should we be confident that this entity can provide prudent planning for the future health care of this community? (end) [Fred Felter, Eugene, EW letter to editor, 1/17/02] http://www.eugeneweekly.com/views.html#letters http://www.eugeneweekly.com/archive/01_10_02/views.html#letters ------------------------------------------------------------ WATCHDOGS WHISPERING PeaceHealth overpaid for a few acres on the river?! How can that be? Those high-powered executives are all too smart to be taken by a convicted felon, aren't they? If this were Chicago, civic watchdogs would be screaming the word "kickback." Politicians would be keeping quiet. Executives would be making no comment. The rubes would be declaring that they got a good deal. The people calling for investigation of executive bank accounts or looking for dummy corporations and hidden off-shore accounts would be getting ignored. Good thing this is Eugene, the place where all the politicians are honest. Where city and county staff are bribe-proof. Where members of the hospital board of directors are super-intelligent and completely on top of things and have a firm, but loving hand of control over their executives. Where corporate executives would never take a kickback, even if it was in the millions. And it sure is a good thing we don't need to watch the activity of a few people's bank accounts. It's a good thing that we can all rest assured knowing that PeaceHealth could never be ripped off by a convicted felon working in league with a corporate executive or two. That would be a moral outrage and we know such things don't happen around here. Yep, good thing civic watchdogs around here are limited to whispering in shadows and to writing sarcastic letters to the editor. (end) [Charlie Magee, Eugene, EW letter to editor, 1/17/02] http://www.eugeneweekly.com/views.html#letters http://www.eugeneweekly.com/archive/01_10_02/views.html#letters ------------------------------------------------------------ HOSPITAL GOT A BARGAIN State Sen. Tony Corcoran, D-Cottage Grove, asks in his Jan. 9 letter, "What is the mission of PeaceHealth?" It is to provide state-of-the-art medical care to all the residents of southwest Oregon who choose PeaceHealth for their health care needs. This includes medical facilities in Cottage Grove and Florence. PeaceHealth had a vision for meeting the region's future medical needs with one exception. When property on Centennial Boulevard was for sale, a nun who was the administrator at the time wanted to purchase it. The hospital board vetoed her proposal. Autzen Stadium now sits on that parcel of land. Where was the outrage Corcoran expressed when PeaceHealth invested in building the Willamette Oaks Retirement Center, the River Park Nursing Facility and the Volunteers in Medicine Clinic, which, according to columnist Karen McCowan (Register-Guard, Nov. 12), was established by former PeaceHealth Administrator Sister Monica Heeran "to provide free care to the uninsured area residents"? PeaceHealth's Senior Health and Wellness Center received a John E. Hartford Foundation grant to monitor the health of its patients because the clinic is unique in the medical field. It provides primary care designed specifically for seniors using a holistic, interdisciplinary care model, which includes four geriatric physicians, geriatric nurse practitioners, a consulting pharmacist, physical therapists, dietitians as well as social services and pastoral care staff. Health care representatives throughout the country have visited it, wanting to implement similar facilities in their communities. The price of land in Eugene has skyrocketed in recent years. I think the RiverBend purchase was a bargain! (end) [Julie Brown, Eugene, RG letter to editor, 1/18/02] http://www.registerguard.com/news/20020118/ed.letters.0118.html ------------------------------------------------------------ TAX AVOIDANCE LEGAL While I am no fan of John Musumeci and his history of business dealings, I must strongly criticize The Register-Guard with the unfair characterization made in the Jan. 10 story titled "Arlie buying property to avoid taxes." The newspaper sensationalized tax avoidance as though it were illegal. Musumeci is using a bona fide, IRS-approved, legal business option to shelter his profits. What savvy business, private or corporate, wouldn't do the same? Perhaps The Register-Guard should learn to differentiate tax avoidance from tax evasion. One is legal. The other is not. Such treatment of the story made Musumeci's legal affairs appear to be immoral at best and, at worst, illegal. Neither is true. Shame on you! (end) [Danuta Pfeiffer, Junction City, RG letter to editor, 1/19/02] http://www.registerguard.com/news/20020119/ed.letters.main.0119.html ------------------------------------------------------------ COMMENTARY: SPRINGFIELD GOVERNMENT PRACTICES SUSTAINABILITY Good things often don't make the news. The city of Springfield is quietly and responsibly implementing steps toward sustainability. The Oregon Sustainability Act of 2001 established a statutory framework that supports the triple bottom line of sustainable practices: environmental stewardship, a healthy economy and social well-being. Why is the city of Springfield spending time on sustainability efforts? Because the long-term health of our environment, our economy and our community rests on sustainable practices -- both in business and at home. The potential economic benefits of sustainability initiatives are many. What follows is a short summary of the various steps being taken. (more...) [Cynthia Pappas, RG commentary, 1/15/02] http://www.registerguard.com/news/20020115/ed.col.pappas.0115.html ------------------------------------------------------------ MORE SUGGESTIONS FOR REVITALIZING DOWNTOWN Now that the holidays are behind us and things are starting to get back to normal, civic leaders once again turn their attention to downtown Springfield. The question: What can be done to revitalize it? Last week 32 people from city government, Springfield Renaissance Development Corp. and various state agencies came together for more discussion. Several good suggestions came forth: (more...) [SN editorial, 1/16/02] http://springfieldnews.com/2002/news0116/opinion/sn_opinion.html#TopOfPage ------------------------------------------------------------ A PERNICIOUS POWER You and I pay into our health care plans. The money goes into the world's last health care aristocracy, where the local lords of the executive office put away huge surpluses. Then $18 million is finagled from the bloated system and flies into the hands of a single person. Since our government has chosen to make itself highly receptive to those with cash in hand, this single person suddenly wields political power far beyond most other people. And since our U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that money is speech, such people speak far louder than the rest of us. They speak loud enough to spawn political movements in their interests, loud enough to whisper thoughts and accusations into the ear of an entire city and certainly loud enough to prick up the ears of money-dependent politicians. We are the only industrial country where such things can still happen to this degree. Perhaps when we've eliminated the pernicious power of money in politics and revamped our antiquated health care system, we may begin to catch up with the modern nations. (end) [Joe Valasek, Eugene, RG letter to editor, 1/20/02] http://www.registerguard.com/news/20020120/ed.letters.0120.html ------------------------------------------------------------ TRUE SUSTAINABILITY The city of Springfield's claim that it "practices sustainability" was a wild exaggeration (guest column, Jan. 15). At best, the city has adopted some practices that are more efficient than previous practices. Sustainability refers to practices that can be maintained many generations in the future. Hybrid cars, compact fluorescent light bulbs and increased sewer treatment are better than SUVs, incandescent bulbs and poorer quality sewage treatment -- but none of them are sustainable. If Springfield wants sustainability to be more than greenwash rhetoric, it should prevent PeaceHealth from destroying forest along the McKenzie River and abandon its plans for the $100 million plus reconstruction of the Interstate 5-Belt Line Road interchange into a Los Angeles-style spaghetti bowl, the Pioneer Parkway and the Interstate 105-Jasper Road extension. These highways would increase the use of nonrenewable fossil fuels, and we are nearing the inevitable peak of world oil production. What will our great-grandchildren think about our wasting of nature's inheritance on freeways and strip malls instead of on renewable energy facilities to harness the power of the sun? In the interest of honesty in political discourse, I recommend that Springfield rename the Filbert Festival the "Pavement and Concrete Festival." Sustainability would include local food production, but our professional planners (in Eugene, Springfield and elsewhere) seem oblivious to this -- a reason that Sony and Symantec were allowed to clear-cut filbert orchards even while downtown Eugene and Springfield have high vacancy rates. (end) [Mark Robinowitz, Eugene, RG letter to editor, 1/20/02] http://www.registerguard.com/news/20020120/ed.letters.0120.html ============================================================ OTHER NEWS ============================================================ ARLIE BUYS ACREAGE NEAR LCC John Musumeci, Lane County's most adventuresome real estate speculator, on Monday bought more than 1,100 acres of timberland immediately south of Lane Community College. The purchase of the land from Dexter-based businessmen Norman and Melvin McDougal, comes two weeks after Musumeci's Arlie & Co. sold 160 riverside acres in north Springfield to PeaceHealth for $34 million. Arlie made a gross profit of about $18 million on the deal after spending less than a year assembling the parcel and then flipping it to PeaceHealth, which plans to build a new regional hospital at the site. (more...) [By Joe Harwood, RG business story, 1/15/02, page 1D] http://www.registerguard.com/news/20020115/1d.bz.arlielcc.0115.html ------------------------------------------------------------ NON-PROFIT DIRECTOR HOPES TO REBUILD STORE PROPERTY The building in which the St. Vincent de Paul Society of Lane County Inc. operates its thrift store at Fifth and Main streets is old, not particularly attractive, and not a registered historic building, Terry McDonald said last Wednesday. McDonald, director of the agency, wants to tear the building down. He wants to build a new multi-story building in its place, with commercial space on the first floor and mixed-income "live-work" artists' spaces on the upper floor, or floors. St. Vincent owns the property and operates the store. (more...) [Tim Shinabarger, SN community story, 1/16/02] http://springfieldnews.com/2002/news0116/community/sn_community.htm#TopOfPage ------------------------------------------------------------ HIGH COURT EXAMINES HEALTH RULES Washington -- Debra Moran maxed out her credit cards, got a bank loan and borrowed from her mother-in-law to pay for a $94,000 operation that fixed her rare, debilitating nerve problem. The Supreme Court considered Wednesday whether Moran's health plan should have been forced to foot the bill instead. The court is expected to rule by July on whether states such as Illinois, where Moran lives, can require health plans to accept an outside second opinion when there is a dispute with a patient over paying for care. That will set the ground rules for patients who disagree with the decisions of doctors affiliated with their insurance companies but still want their insurers to cover their medical expenses. Lawyers on both sides predicted that the court's answer will come before the time Congress passes a long-debated national patient protection law that probably would guarantee a patient's right to take such disputes to an independent reviewer. The case highlights tension between health insurance companies worried about the increasing cost of health care, and patients who don't want insurance executives making their medical decisions. (more...) [The Associated Press, RG national story, 1/17/02, page 5A] http://www.registerguard.com/news/20020117/5a.nat.scotushmo.0117.html ------------------------------------------------------------ STATE INSPECTION BACKS UP OHSU NURSING CLAIMS Contrary to the allegations of striking nurses, state hospital inspectors said Monday that they found no safety violations by Oregon Health & Science University during the first three days of a walkout that continued into its 22 day. (more...) [Joe Rojas-Burke, Oregonian, 1/8/02] http://www.oregonlive.com/morenews/oregonian/index.ssf?/xml/story.ssf/html_standard.xsl?/base/business/10104945253058108.xml ------------------------------------------------------------ UNION CHALLENGES EXTRA PAY FOR NURSES The Oregon Nurses Association says Oregon Health & Science University is breaking state law by paying picket line-crossing nurses an extra $7.50 an hour. (more...) [Wendy Y. Lawton, Oregonian, 1/11/02] http://www.oregonlive.com/morenews/oregonian/index.ssf?/xml/story.ssf/html_standard.xsl?/base/news/10107537484191181.xml ------------------------------------------------------------ ONE WHO STAYED: NURSE NEVER CONSIDERED PROTESTING BUT FINDS IT HARD TO KEEP WORKING Suzie Brennan was never in doubt about where she would be on Day One of the strike. (more...) [Oregonian, 1/13/02] http://www.oregonlive.com/morenews/oregonian/index.ssf?/xml/story.ssf/html_standard.xsl?/base/news/10108401455004214.xml ------------------------------------------------------------ ONE WHO WALKED: FIRST-TIME STRIKER LOVES JOB BUT WANTS MORE RECOGNITION AND MORE MONEY On Dec. 17, Kristen Kidd joined a picket line for the first time in her life. (more...) [Oregonian, 1/13/02] http://www.oregonlive.com/morenews/oregonian/index.ssf?/xml/story.ssf/html_standard.xsl?/base/news/10108401455004215.xml ------------------------------------------------------------ NURSES, OHSU AGREE TO MORE TALKS THROUGH STATE MEDIATOR Leaders of striking nurses and the Oregon Health & Science University agreed Monday to resume talks through a state mediator Wednesday. (more...) [Oregonian, 01/15/02] http://www.oregonlive.com/morenews/oregonian/index.ssf?/xml/story.ssf/html_standard.xsl?/base/news/10110993264442112.xml ------------------------------------------------------------ HOSPITAL, NURSES HALT NEGOTIATIONS Striking nurses and leaders of Oregon Health & Science University broke off negotiations late Wednesday as the strike passed day 31. No new talks are scheduled. (more...) [Joe Rojas-Burke, Oregonian, 01/17/02] http://www.oregonlive.com/morenews/oregonian/index.ssf?/xml/story.ssf/html_standard.xsl?/base/business/101127217111119211.xml ============================================================ KEY ============================================================ "Health Options Digest" is best read with an email program that recognizes links to web pages. It includes leads from and links to stories and opinions from the following publications: RG = The Register-Guard SN = Springfield News (Follow first link if item is still current, second link if item is past.) EW = Eugene Weekly (Follow first link if item is still current, second link if item is past.) CN = Comic News ODE = Oregon Daily Emerald Oregonian ============================================================ CREDITS ============================================================ "Health Options Digest" is published once a week by the Coalition for Health Options In Central Eugene-Springfield (CHOICES) as a service to the community. It is intended as an unbiased digest of news and commentary related to proposed changes in health care options for the community. The purpose of "Health Options Digest" is to inform, not editorialize. Please forward your copy of "Health Options Digest" to a friend. If you know of someone who should be on the CHOICES email list, send email to rzako@efn.org.