BEND, OR — St. Charles Health System and The Center remain in a holding pattern, after the Oregon Health Authority denied a request to fast-track their integration plan. A bill passed by the 2021 legislature requires the OHA to approve such deals, but St. Charles CEO Dr. Steve Gordon says it was intended to protect consumers against large corporate take-overs, “I think this is the kind of situation that should call into question an unintended consequence of a far-reaching act of legislation, and whether just a fresh re-evaluation might be wise.” He says it’s the first time the “fast-track” exemption has been tested.
