Oregon Health Plan

Image

BRUNO/PIXABAY

State’s low-income climate benefit takes effect in time for heat wave

The Oregon Health Authority says hundreds of air conditioners have been distributed so far

Jul 9, 2024

Image

An employee of the Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services helps a consumer pick a health care plan on the federal online health insurance marketplace. | DEPARTMENT OF CONSUMER AND BUSINESS SERVICES

More than 80% keep coverage as Oregon Health Plan eligibility checks near completion

The state will disenroll fewer Oregonians than expected from the state's version of Medicaid, but members are cautioned to watch their mailboxes with 120,000 renewal notices still being sent out

Jun 27, 2024

Image

A room inside the Recovery Works NW's new withdrawal management facility on Southeast Foster Road in Portland, Ore. Most rooms are limited to two beds. | EMILY GREEN/THE LUND REPORT

Behavioral health access, language barriers persist, new report finds

Low-income Oregonians still don’t have enough mental health and substance use treatment providers, and patients who need interpreters too often don’t get them, an independent state advocate reports

Jun 25, 2024

Image

Multnomah County worked to vaccinate people of color and people experiencing homelessness. | MOTOYA NAKAMURA/MULTNOMAH COUNTY

Oregon interpreter rules hurt health care access, group says

The group of medical directors representing organizations that oversee care to 1.3 million Oregonians say state rules are hurting access to crucial medical interpreter services and fueling health care inequities

Jun 13, 2024
Premium

Image

Emma Sandoe will head the state program providing free health care to 1 in 3 Oregonians. | OREGON HEALTH AUTHORITY

Updated: Emma Sandoe named as next director of Oregon's Medicaid program

Sandoe hails from North Carolina's program where Oregon Health Authority Director Sejal Hathi also had worked for a time. Sandoe will bring a national reputation while heading the $28-billion Oregon Health Plan providing free health care to 1.4 million low-income people.

May 23, 2024
Premium

Image

Emily Harris (left) moderates an Oregon Health Forum panel on “Oregon’s health crossroads." The panel included Gov. John Kitzhaber, former Oregon Health Authority leader Bruce Goldberg, new Oregon Health Authority Director Sejal Hathi, LifeWorks NW CEO Mary Monnat and state Rep. Rob Nosse. | JAKE THOMAS/THE LUND REPORT

Oregon health care reforms need renewed focus, panel says

Architects of reforms to the Oregon Health Plan championed their vision, while the state’s new health chief offered her ideas on how to improve care for low-income Oregonians

Apr 25, 2024
Premium

Image

SHUTTERSTOCK

With glitches fixed, Oregon Health Plan eligibility checks to resume

After problems led to thousands of Oregonians incorrectly disenrolled, the state has made fixes, restored coverage and will soon resume eligibility checks that were on hold during the pandemic

Feb 22, 2024
Premium

Image

Lucas Coghill, 9, plays the PAX Good Behavior Game during class at Fern Hill Elementary School in Forest Grove, Ore., Nov. 9, 2023. The game focuses on helping students identify and encourage positive “PAX” behaviors and avoid “spleems” as part of daily classroom management. | KRISTYNA WENTZ-GRAFF/OPB/THE LUND REPORT

Prevention in schools gets help from Oregon Health Plan

Health care funds have gone to help schools adopt programs that reduce addiction and disease later in life

Feb 15, 2024

Image

CareOregon. | COURTESY OF CAREOREGON

Q&A: CEOs defend CareOregon merger plans, balk at specifics

Leaders of a California-based Medicare Advantage plan called SCAN Group and CareOregon, the Portland-based insurer that oversees government-funded care for 500,000 low-income Oregonians, said criticisms of their proposed merger don't recognize its benefits or the risks of inaction. The companies haven't disclosed long-term plans due to antitrust rules, they said — but growth is the goal.

Jan 9, 2024

Image

Portland, Oregon. | SHUTTERSTOCK

Even without a pandemic, health care was wild in 2023

It was a year in which the health care community had hoped to recuperate. Instead, Oregon and southwest Washington saw major changes affecting workers, patients, insurers, state officials and health systems.

Dec 21, 2023