Oregon's Low Income Health Insurance Program Is Improving: Study

OREGON -- Oregon's government-funded health insurance for low-income residents is improving. A study released this month by Oregon Health and Science University shows the state's Medicaid program has become more effective in the last five years.

The state government received a Medicaid waiver from the federal government in 2012 aimed at improving its programs. The state enrolled current members into coordinated care organizations and allowed municipal governments to manage them, according to the study.

In the first three years of the change, the program "transformed" the health care delivery and payment systems, the study said.

"Experience of care measures and self-reported health status for CCO members also improved," the study stated.

The study also found that Medicaid membership increased by 385,000 members from December 2013 to December 2014.

Researchers said Oregon's Medicaid program still needs improvement, including prescription drug costs.

"The State may need to focus on limiting prescription drug spending growth in order to meet the 2017-2022 waiver’s spending goals," the study said. "As a step toward limiting overall spending growth, the State should inventory and evaluate other options to reduce prescription drug spending growth."

Read the full study here.

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