Oregon
Oregon expands free Medicaid health insurance to tens of thousands more people – Ashland News – Community-Supported, NonProfit News
The state is the third nationwide to expand coverage to people who earn more than limits set by the federal government
By Lynne Terry, Oregon Capital Chronicle
After two years of planning, Oregon is officially expanding its Medicaid program to give tens of thousands of more people access to the free health insurance program.
The Oregon Health Authority announced on July 1 the launch of its OHP Bridge Plan to those who earn more than the federal limits for traditional Medicaid. The Oregon Health Plan, the state’s version of Medicaid, currently covers 1.4 million Oregonians who earn up to 138% of the federal poverty level, or nearly $21,000 a year for one person or more than $43,000 a year for a family of four.
The OHP Bridge is extending Medicaid benefits to those who earn up to 200% of the federal poverty level. That means that individuals who earn about $30,000 a year or families of four who earn $62,400 a year will qualify.
Oregon Health Authority officials expect the plan to cover 100,000 Oregonians by 2027.
Dr. Sejal Hathi, director of the health authority, said in a news conference the plan marks a “significant milestone” in Oregon and will help eliminate health inequities, a health authority goal.
“We know that these higher rates of coverage are associated with better health outcomes, with greater health care access and with fewer health inequities, and we want to keep it that way,” Hathi said.
Who qualifies
People can apply for OHP Bridge coverage by going to ONE.Oregon.gov or HealthCare.gov. People in Oregon will qualify for OHP Bridge if they:
Are 19 to 64 years old
Have an income between 138% and 200% of the federal poverty level
Are a U.S. citizen or have eligible immigration status
Do not have access to other affordable health insurance
The income limits change every March. For more information, go here: ohp.oregon.gov/Bridge.
Oregon is the third state nationwide — after Minnesota and New York — to expand Medicaid to beyond the traditional federal income limits. But it’s the first state to offer that coverage at no cost, without monthly premiums or co-pays.
“We know that cost sharing in any form, whether that’s premiums or co-pays, is a barrier to care for people in this income range, and were we to have either or both of those, we would actually see decreased access to care, which is counterproductive for the goals of the state,” said state Sen. Elizabeth Steiner, a medical doctor and one of the lawmakers who developed the bridge plan.
Like those on Medicaid, people who qualify for the bridge plan will enjoy free medical, dental and mental health care along with some other benefits, such as transportation to medical appointments.
“This means that more people will be able to get the diagnoses, treatment and other services they need, preventing delays and care that nearly 300,000 Oregonians otherwise report due to costs,” Hathi said.
Gil Muñoz, chief executive officer of Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Center, which serves many Medicaid patients in Forest Grove, said during the news conference that the plan is a win for working families who have a tough time paying for housing, food, transportation and child care. He said it’s also a boon for providers to work with lower-income families to get them diagnostic services, specialist care and hospital treatment that they need.
“It eases the path to better health and better prevention for these families,” Muñoz said.
Federal approval
Oregon won approval from the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to offer the plan under a Medicaid waiver. That approval means that the federal government will pay much of the cost of the plan, diverting money that it would normally pay in subsidies to people who otherwise would buy health insurance on the federal marketplace. The state will pay the remaining cost.
Under traditional Medicaid, the federal government picks up about 60% of the cost, and Oregon pays the rest. Payments for the bridge plan will work differently, with the federal government depositing money into an account and the state reconciling that later. Erica Heartquist, a health authority spokeswoman, said the state estimates that Oregon will receive about $500 million in federal revenue to cover an average of 65,000 members per month over the next 12 months. The state is likely to spend $10 million to administer the program and cover costs not paid for by federal funds.
Health officials say keeping people covered is cheaper in the end because they take care of basic problems early or even before they start by regularly seeing a primary care provider and receiving preventive care, like cancer screenings and blood tests that track cholesterol and diabetes risk. Those without insurance often wait until a health problem worsens until they’re severely ill and care is more expensive or seek treatment in an emergency room, which is the most expensive kind of care and drives up overall health care costs.
“The basic health plan, OHP Bridge, is a great deal for Oregon taxpayers,” Hathi said.
The plan has been in the works in Oregon for two years, following passage of House Bill 4035 during the 2022 session, which launched a task force to develop the plan. One of the plan’s biggest targets is to cover people who’ve recently lost Medicaid coverage. During the pandemic, the federal government provided extra benefits to states that kept people enrolled, regardless of any income changes. That meant that even when people’s income changed and they technically no longer met the limit, they enjoyed the free coverage.
But last spring, that changed when the federal government ended the program. Since then state officials have gone through the Medicaid rolls, making sure that everyone on Medicaid qualifies. In Oregon, more than 80% of those covered kept the insurance — one of the highest rates in the country, according to an analysis by KFF Health News.
About 222,000 have fallen off, and state officials have pointed them to the federal marketplace to buy individual coverage. Hathi said that up to 30,000 people who stayed on Medicaid during the pandemic but no longer qualify will be moved to the bridge plan because they qualify under the bridge plan’s income limits.
Though they will enjoy most Medicaid benefits, those on the bridge plan will not qualify for long-term care, nor will they be able to obtain social services that were approved under a CMS waiver to improve the environment of Medicaid patients. Under the waiver, Oregon can offer climate support, such as a free air conditioner or air filter, to help patients cope with extreme weather events and wildfire smoke; housing support for up to six months; and nutrition education and food assistance.
Officials rolled out the climate benefit this spring, though fewer patients are getting air conditioners than originally hoped. The housing benefit is expected to be offered toward the end of the year and the food benefit after that.
Lynne Terry has more than 30 years of journalism experience, including a recent stint as editor of The Lund Report, a highly regarded health news site. She reported on health and food safety in her 18 years at The Oregonian, was a senior producer at Oregon Public Broadcasting and Paris correspondent for National Public Radio for nine years.
The Oregon Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Dec. 28, 2025, results for each game:
Winning Pick 4 numbers from Dec. 28 drawing
1PM: 0-2-6-1
4PM: 0-2-4-1
7PM: 4-3-9-2
10PM: 6-3-9-2
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
When are the Oregon Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 7:59 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 7:59 p.m. on Tuesday and Friday.
- Pick 4: 1 p.m., 4 p.m., 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. daily.
- Win for Life: 7:30 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Megabucks: 7:29 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Winning lottery numbers are sponsored by Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network.
Where can you buy lottery tickets?
Tickets can be purchased in person at gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.
You can also order tickets online through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, in these U.S. states and territories: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Washington D.C., and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app allows you to pick your lottery game and numbers, place your order, see your ticket and collect your winnings all using your phone or home computer.
Jackpocket is the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn revenue for audience referrals to Jackpocket services. GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER, Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 18+ (19+ in NE, 21+ in AZ). Physically present where Jackpocket operates. Jackpocket is not affiliated with any State Lottery. Eligibility Restrictions apply. Void where prohibited. Terms: jackpocket.com/tos.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by an Oregon editor. You can send feedback using this form.
Oregon
Why Tosh Lupoi sees a silver lining in Oregon’s poor defensive performance against James Madison
EUGENE — It’s easier to get a message across about effort, tenacity and finishing when the most recent result is an affront to those attributes.
Oregon’s defensive effort in its win over No. 12 seed James Madison, particularly in the second half, was “unacceptable” to defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi. He’s found the silver lining in the third straight postseason performance allowing 34-plus points and 500-plus yards though, calling it “the best thing that could ever happen” as the No. 5 Ducks prepare to face No. 4 Texas Tech in the Orange Bowl.
“I think it’s another reminder of this is the best of the best, these teams. If you go to sleep for one down, one quarter, one half, they’re going to make you pay,” Lupoi said. “It makes it easier when the players see (themselves) not performing to the standard in that second half.”
JMU scored 28 points and averaged 8.4 yards per play in the second half. Though Oregon backups and third-teamers were in for some plays, starters were back in for the final 99-yard touchdown drive.
Five of JMU’s seven passes of 20-plus yards and a 49-yard run also came during the second half. Oregon allowed just 20 passes of 20 or more yards in its first 12 games.
“There’s things that we can definitely attack that we can do better,” Oregon coach Dan Lanning said. “The biggest piece is getting off the field. We had some sustained drives in that game and we gave up more explosive plays in that game than we have in the past.”
Those are particularly critical areas against Texas Tech (12-1). The Red Raiders have one of the most explosive offenses in the country, trailing only the Ducks in passes of 20-plus yards, and rank 11th nationally on third down.
Linebacker Bryce Boettcher felt the defense responded well at practice in the week since the first round win.
“Practice has been physical with a lot of energy before Christmas and now we’re getting back to it right after Christmas,” Boettcher said. “I’ve been impressed with the way everyone’s responded.”
No. 4 Texas Tech (12-1) vs. No. 5 Oregon (12-1)
- When: Thursday, January 1
- Time: 9 a.m. PT
- Where: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Fla.
- TV: ESPN
- Stream: You can watch this game on DIRECTV (free trial) or with Sling (a Sling day pass to watch this game and more is just $4.99). Streaming broadcasts for this game will be available on these streaming services locally in Oregon and Washington, but may not be available outside of the Pacific Northwest, depending on your location.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KATU) — Advanced practice providers (APPs) represented by the Oregon Nurses Association (ONA) are staying out on the picket line after members overwhelmingly rejected the tentative contract agreement reached with Legacy Health reached Dec. 23.
According to a representative with the ONA, APPs voted to continue the strike, claiming Legacy has failed to make significant movement at the bargaining table, has shown disrespect to APPs, and has operated on a management of hypocrisy.
PAST COVERAGE | Striking health care workers reach tentative agreement with Legacy Health
ONA issued a press release, writing, “Since issuing a strike notice, advanced practice providers (APPs) repeatedly offered to meet at any time and in any location to move negotiations forward. Legacy Health instead chose to delay bargaining and engage in bad-faith tactics.”
“[Legacy]They have never taken our time very seriously. They have routinely been late to bargaining, they’ve no-showed to bargaining, they’ve changed bargaining from in-person to virtual at the last minute when all of us showed up on our free time to do this, they have said incredible disrespectful things to us during bargaining,” said Leigh Warsing, a physician associate at Legacy Emanuel and member of the bargaining team. “The fact that they haven’t moved at all on their contract, their proposal to us really devalues us and dismisses what we’re worth.”
APPs also believed the proposed deal would still leave Legacy APPs far behind their peers at other health systems.
“The proposed agreement would have left Legacy APPs 10% behind their counterparts at OHSU, and behind what Kaiser APPs have been offered—perpetuating a widening wage and standards gap that threatens the long-term stability of Legacy’s workforce,” ONA said.
The statement continued, “This disparity would inevitably drive experienced APPs out of the system, worsening patient care, increasing burnout among remaining staff, and inflating costs as Legacy is forced into a constant recruitment and retention cycle of its own making. When frontline providers are undervalued, patient care inevitably suffers.”
Warsing echoed that sentiment.
“There’s a lot of experience in some of these departments, and the fear is that we will lose those providers,” Warsing said. “If the hospital is not willing to competitively keep providers, then they’re going to leave, and we don’t want them to leave. We want our teams to stay together, and we know that we provide amazing patient care as an excellent team, and that’s going to be torn apart of we’re not treated fairly, respectfully, and paid competitively.”
The proposed deal included pay raises, new pay scales, and protections for discipline and termination, as well as the creation of a labor-management committee.
However, the tentative agreement came just days after Legacy executives issued a notice to striking APPs that they could be stripped of health insurance starting January 1.
April Callister, a physician associate at Legacy Emanuel and Legacy Good Samaritan, as well as a member of the bargaining team, said this move could be devastating.
“It would be huge a hit to a lot of striking APPs,” Callister said. “These are people with families, with children, with chronic health conditions who need medications every month. These are people with doctors’ visits. I mean, APPs not only care for people, they’re also people that require care, so it would be really devastating if Legacy were to follow through on that.”
According to Callister, it was important for a tentative agreement to be brought forward to union members due to the uncertainty as the strike continues.
“We’ve been on the strike line for 25 days now,” she said. “People have sacrificed so much to be out here during the holidays away from their family without a paycheck, and now Legacy is threatening to take away the insurance of these providers, and we felt it was really important to give members opportunity to say whether or not this sacrifice was worth it for them, and if they were willing and able to continue fighting for what we’re worth.”
APPs have been on strike since Dec. 2 to reach a contract that they say pays them fairly.
Since the strike began, Callister tells KATU since the strike began, a lot of the physicians have been picking up the pieces.
“Unfortunately, Legacy seems to have put a lot of burden on our physician colleagues, which is incredible sad to see,” Callister said. “We work in a very collaborative environment with all of our team members.”
“Advanced practice providers—including nurse practitioners, physician associates, and clinical nurse specialists—are highly trained clinicians who save lives, perform surgeries, and care for families every day,” ONA said. “They deliver essential, lifesaving care across a wide range of settings and are critical to the health and safety of communities throughout Oregon.”
Warsing said if they can’t come to an agreement, the impact on patients will be losing quality health care providers.
“Patients deserve quality providers, and if all of your quality providers are only in one institution, then it makes it kind of hard for the patients because we can’t just send all of the patients to the one quality institution in the city,” Warsing said.
ONA representatives told KATU they will return to the bargaining table immediately.
“We’re available to bargain,” Warsing said. “The members have resoundingly voted it [the tentative agreement] down, and we’ve informed Legacy lead
KATU News has reached out to Legacy Health, awaiting comment.
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