In February, PeaceHealth announced it would end its 35-year partnership with Eugene Emergency Physicians (the locally-based provider that has staffed emergency departments at RiverBend, Cottage Grove, and Florence hospitals for decades), and replace them with Atlanta-based ApolloMD, a management service organization with no history of operating in Oregon.  

Over the last few years, our community in Lane County has been confronted with major shifts in the local healthcare landscape. The purchase of the Oregon Medical Group by Optum, the closure of the University District hospital, and the loss of PacificSource as a coordinated care organization have all made it harder for residents in Lane County to access the care they need and for providers to practice locally.  

PeaceHealth’s announcement of its decision to replace EEP sparked widespread concern among physicians, nurses, community advocates, and lawmakers about potential staffing shortages and disruptions to patient care. It also raised significant questions about whether PeaceHealth’s proposed contract with Apollo complied with a law the Legislature passed in 2025 (SB 951) designed to limit corporate and private equity influence over physician practices and ensure medical decisions remain with licensed healthcare providers. 

Since the announcement in February, EEP and other advocates have raised awareness through local, state, and national news outlets, making sure our community knew what we stood to lose if Apollo was brought on without a structured plan. Ultimately, EEP also took PeaceHealth and Apollo to court to determine if they had violated the provisions of SB 951. This was the first time the provisions in that bill were really tested, so we weren’t certain what the outcome would be. 

As that case played out in court, lawmakers sent letters to PeaceHealth requesting that they reconsider their contract with Apollo, and used the power of the pulpit (through press releases and interviews with local publications) to keep the pressure on. In early May, Governor Kotek and I met with PeaceHealth administrators where we expressed our concerns about the risk of inadequate staffing in Lane County and the lack of transparency around the decision-making process and called on PeaceHealth to reverse their decision. 

Together, all of these efforts proved to be the leverage needed for PeaceHealth to announce that they were canceling their contract with Apollo and restarting negotiations with EEP. 

While this was an undoubtedly frustrating few months, I appreciate that PeaceHealth made the right call by listening to local voices and keeping care in the hands of the providers who have been working here for decades. Getting PeaceHealth to back off their decision to replace Eugene Emergency Physicians was a tremendous victory for our community—one that could not have happened without the many local leaders and health care providers who advocated for this result. It also proved that when communities stand together and use the legal tools at their disposal, we can ensure that decisions about critical health services are centered around the needs of Oregonians. 

This outcome should send a clear message to other healthcare organizations around the state that our communities, and the Legislature, will do everything we can to protect Oregonians' access to care. I also hope that SB 951 can serve as a model for other states grappling with this issue as well. 

For the second time in the last six years, Lakewood Vista, a 55+ mobile home park in the Bethel neighborhood, has been put up for sale. When it was put on the market in 2020, it was purchased by The Carlyle Group, one of the country’s largest private equity firms.  

I’ve heard from many constituents who live in manufactured home parks, including Lakewood, about how conditions change when private equity firms take over. Rent and fee increases make it harder for residents on fixed incomes to stay in their homes, or to sell them (since higher space rents mean a lower sale price). At the same time, they’ve seen reductions in services and amenities they’ve relied on for years. It’s deeply concerning to hear how these changes suddenly destabilize seniors seeking affordable housing in a safe community.

Residents tried to come together in 2020 to buy their park to operate it as a co-op, but, unfortunately, they were outbid by The Carlyle Group. However, they are committed to trying again – they have once again banded together to organize to try to bring the property under their control. Thanks to efforts by the Legislature in recent years, this time could be different.  

I’m proud of the work that the legislature has done in recent years to make it easier for resident-owned communities (“ROCs”) to form. In 2021, I was the Chief Sponsor of a bill, HB 2364, that gives residents a better chance to purchase their park when it goes up for sale. I’ve also sponsored a bill to make it easier for non-profits and resident-led co-ops to access low-interest loans to help prevent corporate takeovers.  

We know that ROCs are one of the most straightforward ways to make sure that manufactured home park residents are treated fairly and their communities are maintained. I hope the residents of Lakewood are successful in their efforts to protect their park and their neighbors. It’s still early in this process, but I plan to follow their progress closely, and I’m committed to doing everything I can to help them find a better path forward.  

Deployed Logix 

Last month, I had the opportunity to tour a Deployed Logix facility in West Eugene that manufactures emergency response equipment, including shelters and power systems. They’re a successful, homegrown business in my district and they've been a great partner to the state—from working with the Oregon National Guard to provide disaster relief products to rural hospitals during COVID-19 pandemic, to helping establish a warming center in Springfield. We had a great conversation about workforce challenges, Oregon’s emergency readiness and resilience, and the partnerships that help communities respond when it matters most. 

Lane County Bar Association  

As Lane County has grown, so too has the casework at the Lane County Courthouse. But the number of judges at the Lane County Circuit Court has not increased since the early 1980s. During the 2025 legislative session, I was proud to secure state funding to bring two new judges to Lane County, expanding our roster from 15 to 17 judges. This expansion will strengthen our local courts and help ensure that Lane County residents cases can move more quickly through the justice system.  

Last month, I attended the Lane County Bar Association’s Spring Bash and Annual Awards, where I was honored to receive a Special Recognition award for that effort. It was great to spend some time with the people who make our judicial system work and to have a chance to celebrate the collaborative effort it takes to keep our courts running smoothly. 

ONA 

Earlier this month, Rep. Lisa Fragala (HD 8) and I joined the Oregon Nurses Association for a panel discussion about how the voices of nurses and other care providers can help shape stronger policy and improve care across our communities. I’m grateful for the work the Oregon Nurses Association does to elevate these perspectives, and for the chance to continue building partnerships that strengthen healthcare for everyone in Oregon. 

Retirement Celebration for Reps. John Lively and Boomer Wright 

Over nearly ten years in Salem, I’ve had the privilege of working with so many incredible civil servants, and it’s always bittersweet when a member retires. Representatives John Lively and Boomer Wright have been tireless advocates for their communities and have brought so much to the legislature. I was honored to attend the retirement celebration hosted by their shared alma mater, the University of Oregon.  

Whether in session or out, I encourage you to stay engaged and reach out for assistance navigating state government or to share your thoughts on the issues that matter most to you. 

Yours truly,