Oregon sees big drop in uninsured rate
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Oregon saw the fourth-largest drop in the percentage of residents without health insurance as uninsured rates hit record lows in all U.S. states in 2023, per a new report.
Why it matters: Expanded Medicaid coverage under the Affordable Care Act helped slash Oregon's uninsured rate — but future funding may be in jeopardy.
By the numbers: In 2013, more than 21% of Oregonians were without insurance, according to an analysis of census data from the Commonwealth Fund, a health care foundation.
- By 2023, that number had fallen to just under 8%, a 13.5% percentage point drop.
- The only states with bigger drops were Louisiana, New Mexico and California.
Context: Under the ACA, states can expand Medicaid coverage to adults with incomes up to 138% of the federal poverty level, a move Oregon made last year.
What's next: Congressional Republicans are pushing Medicaid cuts that could strip coverage from millions, including hundreds of thousands in Oregon.
- Oregon receives more than $11 billion in federal funding for its Medicaid program, known as the Oregon Health Plan, which covers more than 1.4 million Oregonians and nearly 60% of the state's children, per state data.