Medicaid in Oregon State

Medicaid is a governmental health care program that provides coverage to millions of low-income individuals. The program has a significant impact on adults, pregnant women, children, disabled persons and seniors under specific qualifications (DHS, 2006). The Oregon Health Plan also covers women who have symptoms of breast and cervical cancer. The program has a significant impact in Oregon in that since the implementation of the coverage; it has brought improvement in the following areas. First, Medicaid coverage has reduced depression in that the total number of people who suffered from depression before the Medicaid access was 30% but the number has reduced by 9% since the implementation of the program (DHS, 2006). Medicaid coverage has also improved the health care access in that as people feel unwell, they visit the doctor and receives prescription drugs, and they also have better access to mammograms, PSA test and more. The vital area where the coverage has a significant impact is the reduction of financial strain. People who have the coverage reduced catastrophic expenditures on health care thereby reducing financial stress. The coverage has a significant impact on the diagnosis of diabetes and patients who have diagnosed receive medications and can control the condition. The program will continue to offer unmeasurable benefits since the State has solved the financial challenges by introducing a new health insurance plans based on raising the tax to bring additional revenue. In 2016, the total number of people who were enrolled was 460, 605 and the number will increase by 400, 000 by 2022 (DHS, 2006). Overall, Medicaid in Oregon has reduced medical debt, increased access to care and improved financial security.

 

 

Reference

 Department of Human Services (DHS). (2006). Oregon Health Plan: An historical overview.  Retrieved

from: http://www.acupunctureresearch.org/assets/docs/C2017/Oregon%20Health%20Plan%20-%20An%20historical%20overview.dhs.2006.pdf