🏠 A dire situation for Portland’s affordable housing

A 17% Increase in Health Insurance Premiums for 2027

Health insurance companies want to raise the premiums they charge to individuals and small groups by an average of 17% in Oregon next year. That’s according to data released on Monday by Oregon regulators — Andrew Schwartz of Willamette Week reports. [Willamette Week]

• Details: For individuals getting coverage from the Affordable Care Act health insurance marketplace, the least-expensive individual Silver plan in the Portland area this year is $518 a month — up $93 over the last five years. If the rate increases are approved, the cheapest Silver plan will be $581 a month — up another $63 a month. [Willamette Week]
• Not just in Oregon: U.S. healthcare costs have been rising faster than inflation, resulting in higher health insurance costs. And Congress eliminated the enhanced subsidies under the Affordable Care Act, raising the price and further increasing the incentive for people with low risk to drop their health insurance. [Willamette Week]

Portland Suburb Brings Back Fireworks

The city of Tigard had a drone performance for its Fourth of July festivities the past two years, but fireworks will return next month. The mayor says the switch back to traditional pyrotechnics was motivated by the high cost of the drone show and the strong preferences of residents. [Oregonian]

Prior to Patient Death, Hospital Seclusion Rate Climbed

Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek and Oregon Health Authority Director Dr. Sejal Hathi say they were unaware of the state hospital's use of prolonged isolation for psychiatric patients until last year’s death of Kenneth Hass, a patient held in seclusion for more than seven months. An investigation of Oregon State Hospital’s use of patient seclusion in 2023 and 2024 finds it was extremely problematic. Hass’s death has since spurred multiple investigations into the hospital’s practices. [Oregonian]

Affordable Housing in Dire Straits

Mayor Keith Wilson has asked City Council to find “a holistic approach” to funding affordable housing, noting in a June 8 memo that “major housing assets may cease operations in as little as six months.” He also asked for a policy change that would allow more aggressive tenant screening and eviction policies to protect other residents. [Willamette Week]

• Read the memo: Wilson paints a dire picture of the state of some buildings: “floors and entire buildings have been effectively seized by traffickers and squatters.”