A letter to our community
Update on Regence Contract Negotiations
April 28, 2026
By Merrin Permut, Vice President & Chief Population Health Officer
Legacy Health and Regence Blue Cross Blue Shield continue to actively negotiate toward a fair and reasonable reimbursement agreement. Both organizations have re-engaged, and we are encouraged by the progress of recent discussions. Our shared goal is to reach an agreement that maintains access to high-quality care and acknowledges the rising cost of healthcare.
As you know, on April 1, Legacy hospitals and clinics are out-of-network Regence. Being out-of-network means that patients may have to pay more money out of pocket for services at Legacy, which, we fear, may cause some patients to avoid, delay or have trouble accessing care.
Did you know that more than half of Portland-area voters say they find it harder to get an appointment with a primary care provider in 2025 than in 2022? Reaching an agreement is critical to ensuring that access to care does not get worse.
Having fewer providers limits access and makes it more difficult for people to find a primary care physician, make appointments with specialists and schedule surgeries. If patients lose access to their doctor and vital services, their physical and mental healthcare can be disrupted and cause long-term damage to their overall health.
Hospitals are already struggling to absorb increased costs and inadequate insurance reimbursement rates. Reducing access for patients also puts greater strain on local hospitals and patients often due to increased use of emergency departments.
We have been transparent with Regence about our financial situation, and we've taken meaningful steps to address costs by improving efficiency and making difficult but necessary reductions to our workforce and service offerings. Over the last year, our initiatives have reduced costs by almost $40 million. We believe a new contract should reflect this shared commitment to sustainability by pairing our cost discipline with reimbursement rates that keep pace with the real costs of care.
We remain committed to reaching a fair agreement with Regence. Thank you for your support and concern for the wellbeing of your fellow Oregonians. We also encourage patients and community members to access resources and share their experiences directly with Regence. Your voice matters.
Merrin Permut, MHA
Vice President and Chief Population Health Officer
Legacy Health
See our community letter from April 9, 2026