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Last week, we had the opportunity to speak with community members at the Ashland Rotary meeting. During the presentation, we shared about Asante’s deep roots in southern Oregon, highlighted key accomplishments and growth initiatives, discussed current trends and challenges shaping health care in Oregon and nationwide, and outlined advocacy efforts that help ensure the needs of our region’s businesses and health care organizations are represented. We were grateful for the chance to connect with local leaders and community members on these important topics.
Here are some key takeaways:
- About Asante
- Non-profit organization
- Largest health care provider and employer in the region
- We employ over 366 physicians and advanced practice providers, and growing
- Community impact
- Record breaking recruitment in FY2025
- Continued expansion of primary care in Medford, White City and Grants Pass, including a new clinic in Ashland that will open in fall 2026
- Award-winning clinical care
- Strategic growth
- Asante has four strategic priorities that are the foundation of every decision:
- Culture: A great place to work and practice
- Quality & Safety: High-quality, safe care for all
- Financial Sustainability: Continue to be independent and prosperous
- Strategy & Growth: Serve more people in the region
- Asante has four strategic priorities that are the foundation of every decision:
- State of health care
- There are several headwinds at the state a federal level that are directly impacting health care and other businesses. Some key examples:
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- Numerous state laws, such as the Health Care Market Oversight, have materialized
- Hospital licensing fees in Oregon have increased by 400%
- Hospitals in Oregon are three times more regulated than the U.S. median
- One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1)
- We anticipate the impacts of this beginning in January 2027
- One in three Oregonians are on Medicaid – many of these individuals will lose coverage
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- Our region
- Southern Oregon looks vastly different than other areas of the state
- ~75% of Asante patients are on Medicare and Medicaid
- Commercial payer mix is the lowest it’s ever been, signaling structural economic distress
- Southern Oregon looks vastly different than other areas of the state
- Asante Ashland
- Closing the hospital license for Ashland Community Hospital was a strategic decision to preserve health care access for our community.
- Transitioned to a satellite campus of Rogue Regional Medical Center effective May 22, 2026
- Services at Asante Ashland include:
- 24/7 Emergency Department
- Imaging (X-ray, ultrasound, mammography, MRI and CT scan)
- Cardiopulmonary Services
- Lab Services
- Outpatient surgeries
- We are open and here to care for you.
- There are several headwinds at the state a federal level that are directly impacting health care and other businesses. Some key examples:
- Advocacy
- Asante has a dedicated Public Affairs team to advocate for health care and business locally and in Salem
- Economic development is a key focus
- Stay informed
- Asante regularly updates public FAQs covering several topics: https://www.asante.org/faq/
- AsanteIMPACT is an online platform that breaks down complex topics to share with the public.
- Follow on social media: Facebook and LinkedIn
- Subscribe to receive weekly email updates: https://impact.asante.org/ subscribe/.
The thoughtful questions and dialogue around access to care, recruitment and community services underscored the importance of working together to address local health care needs. We are thankful for the opportunity to present and for the strong commitment shown by attendees to supporting both local businesses and community health. We welcome continued collaboration and look forward to future conversations that help strengthen the well-being of our region.
