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Healthcare in Oregon

Oregon's healthcare system is centered on the Portland metropolitan area, home to Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), the state's only academic medical center and health sciences university. OHSU sits atop Marquam Hill and serves as the primary referral center for complex care across the Pacific Northwest. With approximately 12,500 active physicians and a rate of 296 per 100,000, Oregon has a moderate physician density that is somewhat above the national average. The state has one medical school at OHSU, which has expanded enrollment and created rural training pathways. Oregon has been a national leader in healthcare policy innovation, including the Oregon Health Plan, one of the earliest Medicaid expansion experiments, and the creation of Coordinated Care Organizations (CCOs) that integrate physical, behavioral, and dental health. Rural Oregon, particularly the eastern half of the state, faces severe provider shortages. The state's large agricultural workforce includes vulnerable populations with limited healthcare access. Portland, Eugene-Springfield, Salem, and Bend serve as the primary healthcare hubs. Oregon was an early adopter of physician-assisted death through the Death with Dignity Act and has been at the forefront of integrating behavioral health into primary care. The state's outdoor culture drives demand for orthopedic and sports medicine services.