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Planned Parenthood affiliates in Oregon map out long-term strategy  • Oregon Capital Chronicle

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Planned Parenthood affiliates in Oregon map out long-term strategy  • Oregon Capital Chronicle


Planned Parenthood in Oregon is restructuring its advocacy and public policy arm to set the stage for expanding and bolstering reproductive health care access in the years to come.

Officials from the state’s two Planned Parenthood affiliates, Planned Parenthood Columbia Willamette and Planned Parenthood of Southwestern Oregon, said Tuesday they are planning a new advocacy organization with 10 to 20 staffers. The new organization will replace Planned Parenthood Advocates of Oregon, which is the lobbying and public policy organization that advances the organization’s work. 

The change coincides with record demand for abortion services. Planned Parenthood health centers throughout Oregon have seen a nearly 50% increase in demand since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022. The court’s decision didn’t restrict abortion access in Oregon, but allowed other states, including Idaho, to ban or restrict abortion access, prompting pregnant people to travel from out of state to seek care in Oregon.

Planned Parenthood’s clinics will continue their current operations. Planned Parenthood Columbia Willamette has clinics in the Portland area, Bend, Ontario and Vancouver and Planned Parenthood of Southwestern Oregon serves people in Eugene and Medford. 

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Planned Parenthood officials said the organization is the largest abortion in Oregon, but they didn’t immediately have the total number of abortions performed last year. In 2023, the Oregon Health Authority preliminary data shows that nearly 8,940 abortions were performed in the state, up from more than 8,670 in 2022. 

Planned Parenthood also offers other services, like testing for sexually transmitted infections and screenings for breast and cervical cancer. Planned Parenthood Columbia Willamette provided nearly 6,800 abortions in fiscal year 2023, and dispensed emergency contraceptives nearly 9,900 times. The organization, which also serves patients in southwest Washington, had nearly 56,000 patient visits. Planned Parenthood of Southwestern Oregon served nearly 14,000 patients in fiscal year 2023. 

The new advocacy organization and changes will not go into effect until after the November general election. The new organization does not yet have a name.

“The purpose is to continue all of that important advocacy work around advocating for and protecting abortion rights and sexual reproductive health care rights,” Dr. Sara Kennedy, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Columbia Willamette, said in an interview. “We’re adding just really a sharpened focus on how the Planned Parenthood affiliates keep their doors open to continue to care for the patients who need us most in Oregon.”

The current advocacy organization has three employees. The new organization’s staff of up to 20 will include field staff, public policy representatives and support staff. Planned Parenthood officials will first hire a chief of external affairs to strengthen statewide communications and its advocacy work at all levels of government, including state agencies like the Oregon Health Authority and local entities. That chief of external affairs will be announced first, they said.

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“This is really a structural change that we had to make to ensure that we could build a bigger, bolder team and so and bigger, bolder advocacy,” said Amy Handler, CEO and president of Planned Parenthood of Southwestern Oregon.

Planned Parenthood clinics primarily serve low-income people and those enrolled in the Oregon Health Plan, the state’s Medicaid plan. 

It’s not clear how much of the increase in demand is from out-of-state patients. Kennedy said Planned Parenthood doesn’t ask patients where they are coming from, though, in general, providers know patients fly and drive in from all over the country, including Idaho. 

“We are working to try to build out our operations and be able to increase access, both for the rural and remote Oregonians, and also for folks traveling from across the border,” Kennedy said. 

Planned Parenthood is working on an analysis that will continue through the end of the year to determine where to open new clinics based on where access is limited and where it would benefit people the most to have new centers or services, Kennedy said. In general, she said, areas in Oregon that have limited providers and access include coastal areas and eastern Oregon outside of Ontario.

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“The North Star is how do we continue to do that for patients and grow and expand?” Kennedy said. “That’s where we’re going. We are going to be bigger and stronger and trying to expand, to see even more people. That’s the whole point of all of this.”

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Oregon health officials warn of measles exposure at Happy Valley clinic

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Oregon health officials warn of measles exposure at Happy Valley clinic


Health officials have identified a new measles exposure site in Happy Valley.

The Oregon Health Authority and Clackamas County public health officials said people may have been exposed at Providence Immediate Care – Happy Valley, 16180 S.E. Sunnyside Road, Suite 102, between 11:05 a.m. and 3:47 p.m. Tuesday, May 12.

Officials said anyone who was at the clinic during that time should notify a health care provider about the possible exposure. Providers can determine whether a person is immune to measles by reviewing vaccination records, age or laboratory evidence of a previous infection.

Health officials urged people to monitor for symptoms and seek medical advice if they believe they may have been exposed.

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ABOUT MEASLES

Measles is a highly contagious respiratory virus that spreads through the air when an infected person breathes, speaks, coughs or sneezes. The virus can linger in the air for up to two hours and can infect up to 90% of unprotected close contacts. Complications can include pneumonia, brain inflammation and death.

Nationwide, measles cases have been rising since early 2025. Nearly 2,300 cases were reported last year, with most occurring among unvaccinated children.

Symptoms typically begin seven to 21 days after exposure and include cough, runny nose and conjunctivitis accompanied by a high fever. A rash usually follows, starting on the head or neck and spreading downward. People are contagious from four days before the rash appears until four days after.

A graphic from the Oregon Health Authority shows the symptoms of Measles.

HA advises health care providers to report suspected cases immediately and consider post-exposure treatment for exposed patients. The measles, mumps and rubella vaccine can be given within 72 hours of exposure. Immunoglobulin may be administered within six days.

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For most people 6 months and older who are eligible for vaccination, receiving the MMR vaccine within 72 hours of exposure is recommended.

Anyone not protected against measles is at risk, according to OHA. The agency encourages residents to check their vaccination status and contact a health care provider with questions.



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Oregon man shot at In-N-Out drive-thru drove family to safety with bullet lodged in head

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Oregon man shot at In-N-Out drive-thru drove family to safety with bullet lodged in head


Oregon police have arrested two suspects in connection with the shooting of a father who drove himself to a hospital after being struck in the head by a bullet after shots rang out while he was pulling out of In-N-Out drive-thru with his wife and two young sons.

Ethan Adrian Armenta-Lagunas, 20, and Gabriel “Alex” Javier, 18, both of Salem, were taken into custody Wednesday.

They face charges of first-degree assault, unlawful use of a weapon, criminal mischief, and recklessly endangering another person in connection with the Feb. 9 shooting of Marcio Garcia.

Multiple guns were allegedly found at Armenta-Lagunas’ apartment, the Keizer Police Department said. Javier was arrested later in the day.

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Marco Garcia, left, drove himself to a hospital after being shot at an In-N-Out drive-thru in Oregon. Gofundme
A bullet lodged in Garcia’s head as he drove with his wife and two children in the car. Gofundme

Authorities are still searching for a third suspect, 22-year-old Anthony Taylor-Manriquez, who is considered armed and dangerous.

Garcia, 28, was in a car with his wife and two children, ages 2 and 7, when shots rang out near the burger chain.

The gunfire shattered the car windows and struck Garcia in the head; his wife and children were uninjured, police said.

“In the middle of chaos and fear, while he was injured and in pain, he somehow found the strength to drive us out of the scene to safety,” his wife wrote in an online fundraiser.

The gunfire shattered the Garcia family’s car windows as shots rang out near the burger chain. Gofundme
Ethan Adrian Armenta-Lagunas was arrested along with Gabriel “Alex” Javier while police hunt a third suspect. Keizer Police Department

“He protected our family before thinking of himself. That is the kind of man and father he is.”

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Images posted online showed the bullet that was removed from Garcia’s head during surgery in February, according to his wife.

She also noted that Garcia did not suffer major brain damage and is currently recovering at home.

“The doctors told us what we already believe — this is nothing short of a miracle,” she said. “Now he faces a long road of rest, healing, and recovery.”



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PeaceHealth says Oregon CEO Jim McGovern out, Heather Wall to continue as interim leader

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PeaceHealth says Oregon CEO Jim McGovern out, Heather Wall to continue as interim leader


PeaceHealth announced Thursday that Dr. Jim McGovern is no longer serving as chief executive for the organization’s Oregon region, effective immediately.

Following a period of administrative leave, we determined that a leadership change was in the best interest of the organization,” said Sarah Ness, PeaceHealth president and CEO.

Heather Wall will continue in her established interim leadership role to ensure continuity, stability and uninterrupted operations across the Oregon region while PeaceHealth recruits for the chief executive role in Oregon.

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“Together, as we shape our future, PeaceHealth leaders are entrusted to consistently bring our Mission and Values to life by creating environments where caregivers and partners feel seen, heard, supported and inspired to do their best work,” Ness said. “We remain focused on delivering high-quality, compassionate care and supporting our caregivers as we move forward together.”



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