OHSU asks Legislature for $173 million biennial appropriation, flags grant losses and rising costs

Oregon Health & Science University told the Joint Committee on Ways and Means Subcommittee on Education on April 23 that it is seeking a current service‑level appropriation of just over $173,000,000 for the coming biennium and warned lawmakers that federal grant cancellations and rising labor costs are tightening the university’s budget.

“For the record, my name is Steve Statham. I serve as interim president at OHSU,” said Steve Statham, interim president at Oregon Health & Science University, during the informational presentation. “OHSU state appropriation is a small but very vital part of supporting the university.”

The request matters to the state because the appropriation leverages larger federal and private dollars and supports programs statewide, presenters told the committee. OHSU described itself as Oregon’s only academic health center,…