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Oregon's governor says she鈥檚 monitoring hospital closure in Eugene

In August, 2023, PeaceHealth made the announcement that it would close most of its facility in downtown Eugene and transfer services to its Riverbend hospital in Springfield, effectively leaving the third largest city in Oregon without a hospital. The closure began December 1, 2023, with the hospital's emergency room.
Rachael McDonald
/
KLCC
In August, 2023, PeaceHealth made the announcement that it would close most of its facility in downtown Eugene and transfer services to its Riverbend hospital in Springfield, effectively leaving the third largest city in Oregon without a hospital. The closure began December 1, 2023, with the hospital's emergency room.

In August 2023, PeaceHealth announced it would close most of its facility in downtown Eugene and transfer services to its Riverbend hospital in Springfield, effectively leaving the third largest city in Oregon without a hospital.

Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek said she鈥檚 closely watching the closure of Eugene鈥檚 only hospital, PeaceHealth University District.

Hospital leaders have said the lost about $2 million a month and was underutilized.

University District鈥檚 emergency department and its inpatient rehabilitation wing closed Friday.

Kotek is one of several political leaders who鈥檝e spoken out against the decision to shutter the facility. She said she鈥檚 also addressing similar concerns in Baker County, which recently lost its

"This is part of a larger national trend,鈥 Kotek said. 鈥淭he Oregon Health Authority is going to be keeping an eye on making sure that Eugene Springfield has the hospital services that they need. And no one is off the hook here. Yes, there are workforce issues, yes, there are financing issues and you are a hospital that is providing a public good, and you need to make sure you are providing a certain level of care."

Kotek said her administration has already approved expedited licenses to maintain behavioral health services downtown. She said her team is also in conversation with hospital leaders to ensure the region has access to care.

The governor spoke Thursday, which was the final stop on her statewide listening tour.

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