Eastern Oregon Radiation Clinic Will Stay Open Into Early 2026

Representatives for the Eastern Oregon Cancer Center confirmed on December 26 that the Pendleton radiation therapy facility will remain open into early 2026. The center is the only outpatient radiation therapy provider serving Eastern Oregon communities including Baker City, Joseph, Heppner, Irrigon, and Dale and Monument, so the change affects patients who depend on local access for essential cancer treatment.

The center opened in January 2020 and has treated more than 1,000 patients since opening. Earlier this year the facility announced plans to close, with an announcement made January 14, 2025 citing rising costs, wage inflation and low reimbursement rates from the Oregon Health Plan and Medicare. With the reversal, local health partners and community leaders say they are monitoring next steps to secure continuity of cancer care in the region.

Keeping the clinic open into early 2026 preserves treatment continuity for patients who would otherwise face long travel times to receive radiation therapy. Rural patients often face greater logistical and financial barriers to care. Travel away from family supports, higher out of pocket costs for lodging and transport, and interruptions in tightly scheduled treatment regimens can have tangible effects on outcomes and quality of life.

The situation also highlights structural challenges in rural health care financing. Reimbursement shortfalls from public insurance programs combined with rising operating and staffing costs have put small specialty providers under severe financial strain. Sustaining local cancer services will require coordinated action among providers, payers and policymakers to address funding gaps and workforce needs, particularly for low income and Medicare patients who rely on regional access.

For Baker County and neighboring communities, the immediate relief of preserved services does not resolve longer term uncertainty. Community leaders and health systems will need to work together to plan for stable funding models, patient navigation supports, and contingency arrangements should the facility face renewed financial pressure. Keeping treatment local matters for public health, equity and the resilience of rural health care systems.