Oregon Nurses Assn.

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News Release

ONA Applauds Oregon Attorney General's Lawsuit Against Federal Loan Limits For Healthcare Degrees - 05/20/26

Portland, Ore. - The Oregon Nurses Association applauds Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield for joining the lawsuit challenging a U.S. Department of Education rule that restricts access to federal student loans for healthcare workers pursuing professional degree programs.  

 

ONA members have been clear: this harmful rule from the Trump administration would create significant barriers for frontline healthcare workers—including nurses, physician associates, therapists, and others—seeking advanced education and training, especially those from lower-income households and historically underrepresented communities. It would discourage many from advancing their education and force others to rely on higher-interest, higher-risk private loans. 

 

For generations, healthcare professions—particularly nursing—have provided a pathway to economic opportunity for women, working families, and immigrants. Policies that push students toward costly private loans disproportionately harm these communities and risk putting advanced education out of reach for many aspiring healthcare workers. Frontline caregivers should not be priced out of continuing their education and serving their communities. 

 

Oregon and the nation continue to face serious healthcare workforce shortages. Cutting access to affordable federal student loans for frontline healthcare workers is reckless, short-sighted, and dangerous for patients and communities. 

 

This is yet another example of the Trump administration squeezing working-class families and undermining our healthcare system at a time when workers need relief, communities need real investment in healthcare, and Oregon desperately needs more frontline caregivers. 

 

ONA is grateful to Attorney General Rayfield for standing up for healthcare workers and patients by challenging this unfair and inequitable rule. 

 

The Oregon Nurses Association (ONA) represents a diverse community of more than 25,000 nurses and healthcare professionals throughout Oregon. Together, we use our collective power to advocate for critical issues impacting patients, nurses and healthcare professionals including a more effective, affordable and accessible healthcare system; better working conditions for all healthcare professionals; and healthier communities. For more information visit www.OregonRN.org.

 

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ONA Applauds Oregon Attorney General's Lawsuit Against Federal Loan Limits For Healthcare Degrees - 05/20/26

Portland, Ore. - The Oregon Nurses Association applauds Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield for joining the lawsuit challenging a U.S. Department of Education rule that restricts access to federal student loans for healthcare workers pursuing professional degree programs.  

 

ONA members have been clear: this harmful rule from the Trump administration would create significant barriers for frontline healthcare workers—including nurses, physician associates, therapists, and others—seeking advanced education and training, especially those from lower-income households and historically underrepresented communities. It would discourage many from advancing their education and force others to rely on higher-interest, higher-risk private loans. 

 

For generations, healthcare professions—particularly nursing—have provided a pathway to economic opportunity for women, working families, and immigrants. Policies that push students toward costly private loans disproportionately harm these communities and risk putting advanced education out of reach for many aspiring healthcare workers. Frontline caregivers should not be priced out of continuing their education and serving their communities. 

 

Oregon and the nation continue to face serious healthcare workforce shortages. Cutting access to affordable federal student loans for frontline healthcare workers is reckless, short-sighted, and dangerous for patients and communities. 

 

This is yet another example of the Trump administration squeezing working-class families and undermining our healthcare system at a time when workers need relief, communities need real investment in healthcare, and Oregon desperately needs more frontline caregivers. 

 

ONA is grateful to Attorney General Rayfield for standing up for healthcare workers and patients by challenging this unfair and inequitable rule. 

 

The Oregon Nurses Association (ONA) represents a diverse community of more than 25,000 nurses and healthcare professionals throughout Oregon. Together, we use our collective power to advocate for critical issues impacting patients, nurses and healthcare professionals including a more effective, affordable and accessible healthcare system; better working conditions for all healthcare professionals; and healthier communities. For more information visit www.OregonRN.org.

 

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ONA Statement On PeaceHealth Canceling Its Plan To Outsource ER Care Out-of-State (Photo) - 05/06/26

(SPRINGFIELD, Ore.) - The Oregon Nurses Association (ONA) issued the following statement after PeaceHealth announced plans to stop attempting to outsource emergency room care to out-of-state group ApolloMD and to renew its contract with local doctors at Eugene Emergency Physicians.

 

"Today’s announcement is a historic victory for all Oregonians.

 

PeaceHealth’s decision to reverse course is not an act of leadership, it is a retreat. Health executives were forced to back down thanks to lawsuits, pressure from elected leaders, and an unprecedented show of solidarity from thousands of nurses, doctors, caregivers, and community members who stood together to hold PeaceHealth accountable and stop out-of-state corporations from controlling our care

 

The message is unmistakable. Oregonians’ health is not for sale. Hospitals must put patients ahead of profits and local collaboration over corporate control.

 

PeaceHealth must follow the law and other health systems should take note. Oregon banned the corporate practice of medicine for a reason. Oregonians and their providers are in charge of their personal healthcare decisions. We will not allow our communities’ care to be undermined, outsourced, or controlled by corporate executives.

 

While we celebrate this victory, we recognize that damage has been done. Our community's trust in PeaceHealth is broken. Regaining that trust will require increased transparency, partnership, and a stronger commitment to our communities from PeaceHealth.

 

Frontline nurses, doctors, and local leaders are ready to sit down with PeaceHealth executives to build a path forward that restores faith in our community’s healthcare system and put patients ahead of profits."

 

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Attached Media Files: ONA nurses, healthcare providers, elected officials, and community members held a rally to in support of Eugene Emergency Physicians outside PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center RiverBend March 12, 2026. Photo Courtesy of ONA.,

ONA Statement On PeaceHealth Canceling Its Plan To Outsource ER Care Out-of-State (Photo) - 05/06/26

(SPRINGFIELD, Ore.) - The Oregon Nurses Association (ONA) issued the following statement after PeaceHealth announced plans to stop attempting to outsource emergency room care to out-of-state group ApolloMD and to renew its contract with local doctors at Eugene Emergency Physicians.

 

"Today’s announcement is a historic victory for all Oregonians.

 

PeaceHealth’s decision to reverse course is not an act of leadership, it is a retreat. Health executives were forced to back down thanks to lawsuits, pressure from elected leaders, and an unprecedented show of solidarity from thousands of nurses, doctors, caregivers, and community members who stood together to hold PeaceHealth accountable and stop out-of-state corporations from controlling our care

 

The message is unmistakable. Oregonians’ health is not for sale. Hospitals must put patients ahead of profits and local collaboration over corporate control.

 

PeaceHealth must follow the law and other health systems should take note. Oregon banned the corporate practice of medicine for a reason. Oregonians and their providers are in charge of their personal healthcare decisions. We will not allow our communities’ care to be undermined, outsourced, or controlled by corporate executives.

 

While we celebrate this victory, we recognize that damage has been done. Our community's trust in PeaceHealth is broken. Regaining that trust will require increased transparency, partnership, and a stronger commitment to our communities from PeaceHealth.

 

Frontline nurses, doctors, and local leaders are ready to sit down with PeaceHealth executives to build a path forward that restores faith in our community’s healthcare system and put patients ahead of profits."

 

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Attached Media Files: ONA nurses, healthcare providers, elected officials, and community members held a rally to in support of Eugene Emergency Physicians outside PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center RiverBend March 12, 2026. Photo Courtesy of ONA.,

ONA Statement In Response To Asante CEO's Message On Job Cuts - 05/04/26

(MEDFORD, Ore.) - The Oregon Nurses Association (ONA) issued the following statement in response to Asante CEO Tom Gessel’s email to staff outlining projected cuts to more than 300 Oregonians’ jobs.

 

“Asante executives are once again cutting caregivers and looking for someone else to blame. Let’s be clear about what’s actually happening. Asante executives chose to fire 400 Southern Oregonians in 2024; they chose to shut down Ashland Hospital’s family birth center and inpatient care; they chose to push out dozens of experienced doctors and neonatologists—specialists who care for premature babies and sick infants. 

 

Now they are proposing to fire hundreds more caregivers across Southern Oregon. 

 

These are not forced decisions. Asante executives are responsible for their actions.

 

Blaming frontline caregivers who save lives and staffing standards that keep patients safe is just plain wrong. It's egregious for Asante executives to rack up nearly a million dollars in fines for failing to follow a staffing law designed to keep patients safe—and then turn around and blame the law and the frontline caregivers fighting to uphold it. Suggesting the thousands of Southern Oregonians who rely on the Oregon Health Plan for lifesaving care are part of the problem is even more outrageous.

 

Asante executives are responsible for the problems they’ve created. 

 

Healthcare has real problems—increasing corporatization, skyrocketing executive salaries, and federal funding cuts from the “One Big, Beautiful Bill” which could put nearly 280,000 Oregonians at risk of losing health coverage. But cutting care and eliminating staff only makes these problems worse. 

 

If Asante executives are serious about addressing these challenges, they should stop stalling and sit down at the bargaining table with nurses and techs to work on real solutions that protect patients, retain caregivers and put our community first. 

 

It’s time for Asante executives to take responsibility for their decisions, stop cutting our community’s safety net and start working together with local caregivers to improve our community’s health and safety." 

 

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ONA Statement In Response To Asante CEO's Message On Job Cuts - 05/04/26

(MEDFORD, Ore.) - The Oregon Nurses Association (ONA) issued the following statement in response to Asante CEO Tom Gessel’s email to staff outlining projected cuts to more than 300 Oregonians’ jobs.

 

“Asante executives are once again cutting caregivers and looking for someone else to blame. Let’s be clear about what’s actually happening. Asante executives chose to fire 400 Southern Oregonians in 2024; they chose to shut down Ashland Hospital’s family birth center and inpatient care; they chose to push out dozens of experienced doctors and neonatologists—specialists who care for premature babies and sick infants. 

 

Now they are proposing to fire hundreds more caregivers across Southern Oregon. 

 

These are not forced decisions. Asante executives are responsible for their actions.

 

Blaming frontline caregivers who save lives and staffing standards that keep patients safe is just plain wrong. It's egregious for Asante executives to rack up nearly a million dollars in fines for failing to follow a staffing law designed to keep patients safe—and then turn around and blame the law and the frontline caregivers fighting to uphold it. Suggesting the thousands of Southern Oregonians who rely on the Oregon Health Plan for lifesaving care are part of the problem is even more outrageous.

 

Asante executives are responsible for the problems they’ve created. 

 

Healthcare has real problems—increasing corporatization, skyrocketing executive salaries, and federal funding cuts from the “One Big, Beautiful Bill” which could put nearly 280,000 Oregonians at risk of losing health coverage. But cutting care and eliminating staff only makes these problems worse. 

 

If Asante executives are serious about addressing these challenges, they should stop stalling and sit down at the bargaining table with nurses and techs to work on real solutions that protect patients, retain caregivers and put our community first. 

 

It’s time for Asante executives to take responsibility for their decisions, stop cutting our community’s safety net and start working together with local caregivers to improve our community’s health and safety." 

 

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Thousands Sign Petition To Save Local ER Doctors (Photo) - 04/23/26

Nearly 7,000 people sign nurses’ petition in support of Eugene Emergency Physicians

(SPRINGFIELD, Ore.) – Local nurses delivered a petition signed by more than 6,800 supporters to PeaceHealth’s executives and board of directors April 22. The petition calls out PeaceHealth’s attempt to outsource and corporatize emergency room care at local hospitals and demands PeaceHealth renew its contract with local doctors at Eugene Emergency Physicians (EEP).

 

“Our community’s health can’t be sold to the highest bidder. Our healthcare belongs to our community, and it should stay in our community,” said Chris Rompala, RN, ONA board member and bargaining unit chair at PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center RiverBend. “We don’t want temporary providers just passing through to collect a paycheck. We need to keep care local with experienced EEP doctors who know our community and are committed to serving the people of Lane County and making our hospitals places we can be proud of.”

Since announcing its plan to outsource emergency room doctors to the large, out-of-state medical group ApolloMD on Feb. 4, PeaceHealth executives have faced intense scrutiny and widespread criticism from healthcare providers, firefighters, elected officials and community members—with many sharing concerns that PeaceHealth's proposed change could threaten community health and safety.

 

One of the primary decisionmakers for the change was PeaceHealth Oregon CEO Dr. Jim McGovern. McGovern was placed on leave by PeaceHealth April 9 after more than 300 pages of emails surfaced which “show Dr. McGovern repeatedly trying to influence and dictate patient care against providers clinical judgment and violating the scope of his administrative license” according to the medical executive committee at PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center Riverbend. The committee is a senior leadership group of hospital physicians and medical staff.  

 

McGovern appeared to make the outsourcing decision after he learned staff had submitted a complaint about his actions.

 

Following these revelations, PeaceHealth RiverBend chief of staff and medical executive committee member Dr. Will Emerson called the ApolloMD request-for-proposal (RFP) process and decision “irreparably compromised” and said it “raises the strong possibility that the RFP decision may have been retaliatory in nature.” The medical executive committee is among those calling on PeaceHealth to reverse its decision and continue its relationship with Eugene Emergency Physicians.

 

The proposal is also facing legal challenges as elected officials and healthcare providers question whether the move complies with Oregon’s corporate practice of medicine law which prevents corporations from overly influencing or interfering in patients’ care.    

 

PeaceHealth’s attempt to outsource emergency care is part of a larger pattern of profit-focused decisions by PeaceHealth executives. These include closing Eugene’s only hospital—leaving nearly 200,000 residents in Oregon’s third-largest city without a hospital or emergency room—and shuttering local healthcare options including a sleep clinic and pediatric cardiology service in Springfield; medical and optometry clinics in Eugene; and home infusion services.

 

PeaceHealth executives have also repeatedly led mass layoffs of caregivers and support staff including hospice nurses and flaunted Oregon’s safe nurse staffing law. These repeated actions have led to multiple no confidence votes from local physicians and nurses and sparked widespread community action.

 

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Attached Media Files: ONA nurses, healthcare providers, elected officials, and community members held a rally to in support of Eugene Emergency Physicians outside PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center RiverBend March 12, 2026. Photo Courtesy of ONA., EEPProviders_2026_lo.jpg,

Thousands Sign Petition To Save Local ER Doctors (Photo) - 04/23/26

Nearly 7,000 people sign nurses’ petition in support of Eugene Emergency Physicians

(SPRINGFIELD, Ore.) – Local nurses delivered a petition signed by more than 6,800 supporters to PeaceHealth’s executives and board of directors April 22. The petition calls out PeaceHealth’s attempt to outsource and corporatize emergency room care at local hospitals and demands PeaceHealth renew its contract with local doctors at Eugene Emergency Physicians (EEP).

 

“Our community’s health can’t be sold to the highest bidder. Our healthcare belongs to our community, and it should stay in our community,” said Chris Rompala, RN, ONA board member and bargaining unit chair at PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center RiverBend. “We don’t want temporary providers just passing through to collect a paycheck. We need to keep care local with experienced EEP doctors who know our community and are committed to serving the people of Lane County and making our hospitals places we can be proud of.”

Since announcing its plan to outsource emergency room doctors to the large, out-of-state medical group ApolloMD on Feb. 4, PeaceHealth executives have faced intense scrutiny and widespread criticism from healthcare providers, firefighters, elected officials and community members—with many sharing concerns that PeaceHealth's proposed change could threaten community health and safety.

 

One of the primary decisionmakers for the change was PeaceHealth Oregon CEO Dr. Jim McGovern. McGovern was placed on leave by PeaceHealth April 9 after more than 300 pages of emails surfaced which “show Dr. McGovern repeatedly trying to influence and dictate patient care against providers clinical judgment and violating the scope of his administrative license” according to the medical executive committee at PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center Riverbend. The committee is a senior leadership group of hospital physicians and medical staff.  

 

McGovern appeared to make the outsourcing decision after he learned staff had submitted a complaint about his actions.

 

Following these revelations, PeaceHealth RiverBend chief of staff and medical executive committee member Dr. Will Emerson called the ApolloMD request-for-proposal (RFP) process and decision “irreparably compromised” and said it “raises the strong possibility that the RFP decision may have been retaliatory in nature.” The medical executive committee is among those calling on PeaceHealth to reverse its decision and continue its relationship with Eugene Emergency Physicians.

 

The proposal is also facing legal challenges as elected officials and healthcare providers question whether the move complies with Oregon’s corporate practice of medicine law which prevents corporations from overly influencing or interfering in patients’ care.    

 

PeaceHealth’s attempt to outsource emergency care is part of a larger pattern of profit-focused decisions by PeaceHealth executives. These include closing Eugene’s only hospital—leaving nearly 200,000 residents in Oregon’s third-largest city without a hospital or emergency room—and shuttering local healthcare options including a sleep clinic and pediatric cardiology service in Springfield; medical and optometry clinics in Eugene; and home infusion services.

 

PeaceHealth executives have also repeatedly led mass layoffs of caregivers and support staff including hospice nurses and flaunted Oregon’s safe nurse staffing law. These repeated actions have led to multiple no confidence votes from local physicians and nurses and sparked widespread community action.

 

###

 

Attached Media Files: ONA nurses, healthcare providers, elected officials, and community members held a rally to in support of Eugene Emergency Physicians outside PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center RiverBend March 12, 2026. Photo Courtesy of ONA., EEPProviders_2026_lo.jpg,