Bynum Urges ODOJ to Approve Deal to Protect Oregonians’ Access to Healthcare

Today, Congresswoman Janelle Bynum (OR-05) urged Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield to urgently approve the proposed affiliation between Salem Health and Santiam Hospital. Without action, Santiam Hospital is facing financial challenges that could disrupt care and leave tens of thousands of Oregonians without access to reliable healthcare.

Salem Health proposed an affiliation with Santiam to maintain high quality care and preserve local employment and services. Now, Oregonians are waiting on the Oregon Department of Justice to issue their final decision to approve the affiliation.

"This is people's healthcare we're talking about," said Rep. Janelle Bynum."We can't afford to wait around for the government to wrap this deal in red tape - our communities need quality care. I'm calling on our state government to step up to do the right thing, now: get all hands on deck, work through the night if you have to, and approve the proposal."

In the letter, Rep. Bynum emphasized the potential impact of a lapse in care on Oregonians, writing:

At its core, this matter is about ensuring that Oregon families continue to receive reliable healthcare close to home… Residents throughout the Santiam Canyon and surrounding communities depend on local emergency care, surgical services, primary and specialty care, women's health and maternity services, and coordinated community-based programs… If Santiam's condition deteriorates or services are disrupted, patients and families - not institutions - will bear the consequences."

Hospital employees, patients, and local leaders alike are also calling for the affiliation to be approved.

"As both a patient and the Mayor of Stayton, I support Santiam Hospital because I know firsthand the quality of care it provides," said Stayton Mayor Brian Quigley. "Santiam Hospital helped save my life, and I will always be grateful for the skilled, compassionate professionals who were there when I needed them most. As mayor, I also recognize the hospital's vital role in the health and strength of our community. Supporting Santiam Hospital means supporting the people and families who depend on local high-quality healthcare every day."

"As a Santiam Hospital employee for the past 12 years, I have had the privilege of caring for the women and families in our community and seeing firsthand the difference compassionate, local healthcare makes," said Jenna Styoles, Santiam Women's Clinic Manager."My connection to Santiam runs deep-my grandmother helped open the doors of this hospital as a member of the very first nursing staff in 1953, and my family, friends, and neighbors have relied on the care provided here for generations. The families in Stayton and our surrounding canyon communities deserve the same access to skilled, timely healthcare as anyone else, because where you live should never determine the care you receive-and when emergencies happen, the minutes truly matter- I have witnessed this firsthand, over and over again. I respectfully ask that this partnership move forward quickly so we can continue protecting access to care for the people who depend on Santiam Hospital.

Background

Santiam's current situation:

• Santiam experienced a $7.5 million operating loss in 2023 and was unable to stabilize long-term sustainability in 2024 and 2025.
• In the second quarter of 2026, Santiam reported more than $1 million in losses, with projections showing continued unsustainable losses.
• In addition, Santiam faces a major challenge in securing or replacing their electronic health record agreement which expires in June 2027.

The merger:

• The proposed affiliation with Salem Health includes a $35 million capital investment, assumption of $22 million in debt, access to a replacement Epic electronic health record platform before Santiam's current agreement expires in June 2027, and preservation of local employment and services.
• Salem Health has made a commitment to retain employees and continue investing in services.
• Santiam leadership believes the affiliation is essential to prevent future insolvency and maintain local access to healthcare in rural Oregon.

The full text of the letter is available HERE.

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