Oregon's health care lottery
Health plan takes new applicants
By Thelma Guerrero-Huston
StatesmanJournal.com
January 29, 2008
More than 600,000 adult Oregonians lack medical care coverage, according to Oregon Department of Human Services.
Last week, the agency announced it would offer new enrollment opportunities for uninsured individuals… by allowing them to put their names on a reservation list for possible health coverage in the Oregon Health Plan’s Standard benefit plan.
In March, a computer will begin to draw names randomly from the reservation list. People whose names are drawn will be mailed an application to apply for the OHP Standard plan.
Applications will continue to be mailed out each month until 10,000 to 12,000 new individuals are enrolled.
This is the first time since 2004 that the Standard plan — established in 1994 — is open to new enrollments.
Currently, there are 19,000 people on the OHP Standard plan, which provides low-cost health care coverage to Oregon residents who are age 19 or older, have a low income, and do not qualify for traditional Medicaid coverage.
“People without health insurance coverage are sicker and die sooner than those who are able to access health care every day,” said Dr. Bruce Goldberg, DHS director. “This is really a tragedy. It’s a stain on our community in general.”
http://www.statesmanjournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2008801290334
Comment:
By Don McCanne, MD
Oregon has long been admired for its innovative efforts to expand coverage in an environment of limited state resources. It has even seriously considered single payer reform.
But a lottery to provide coverage for 10,000 to 12,000 of Oregon’s 600,000 uninsured adults? Come on!