Oregon Health Plan
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The Oregon Health Plan is the Oregon state healthcare program for low income residents of Oregon.
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[edit] History
The Oregon Health Plan was conceived and realized by emergency room doctor John Kitzhaber, then a state senator,[1] and Dr. Ralph Crawshaw, a Portland activist.[2]
It was intended to make health care more available to the working poor, while rationing benefits.[1] At the time, Oregon was considered a national leader in health care reform.[3] In 1994, the plan's first year of operation, nearly 120,000 new members signed up, and bad debts at Portland hospitals dropped 16%.[1]
The plan's costs increased from $1.33 billion in 1993-1995 to $2.36 billion in 1999-2001.[1] Significant cuts were made to the Oregon Health Plan's budget in 2003.[4]
New enrollment in the program were closed from mid-2004[5] until early 2008, when a lottery-based system was introduced. Tens of thousands of Oregonians signed up, competing for 3,000 new spots in the plan.[6][7]
[edit] Eligibility
Basic eligibility requires that the applicant be a resident of Oregon, as a citizen or otherwise. The level of coverage is based on income, age, mental and physical condition.
[edit] Types of coverage
Since a February 2003 adjustment to the Oregon Health Plan,[5] it consists of two main plans, OHP Plus and OHP Standard.
[edit] OHP Plus
OHP Plus is a full benefit package offered to children and adults who are eligible for Medicaid or for the Children's Health Insurance Program. The OHP Plus package has no premiums, but some adults may be required to pay small copayments for outpatient services and some prescription drugs
[edit] OHP Standard
OHP Standard is a limited benefit package covering a limited number of uninsured adults who are not eligible for Medicaid. Most adults under the OHP Standard plan are required to pay monthly premiums, but there are no copayments. [8]
[edit] References
- ^ a b c d Lydgate, Chris. "In sickness and in health", Willamette Week 25 Years retrospective.
- ^ Jacklet, Ben. "Activist’s ideals give rise to ideas", Portland Tribune, August 5, 2005.
- ^ Korn, Peter. "Some forge ahead on reform", Portland Tribune, February 27, 2007.
- ^ Korn, Peter. "Elsewhere, there are saner ways to help mentally ill", Portland Tribune, February 27, 2007.
- ^ a b Clark, Taylor. "Code Red", Willamette Week, June 9, 2004.
- ^ "Thousands seek a spot on state health plan reservation list", Portland Tribune, February 4, 2008.
- ^ Skidmore, Sarah. "Oregon Holds Health Insurance Lottery", Associated Press, March 4, 2008.
- ^ Oregon DHS.
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