By State Representative Rob Nosse
I had planned to write about something else for this month’s column, but I feel it’s better use of this space to provide a bit of a public service announcement regarding Medicaid.
Throughout the year I have written about HR 1, also known as the “One Big Beautiful Bill.” In case you don’t remember, this is the bill that was passed by the Republican Congress and signed by President Donald Trump last year on July 4. The bill made sweeping changes to the federal tax code, immigration policy, student aid and financial assistance programs and social programs—namely Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), what we used to call food stamps. Those changes are being implemented in phases over several years.
If you or someone you know is using the Oregon Health Plan (that is what we call the Medicaid program in Oregon) for their health insurance, please read this.
Starting in January 2027, some 600,000 Oregonians who qualify for Medicaid for their health insurance will be subject to work requirements in order to keep their Medicaid coverage as well as a renewal process that used to be every two years that will now be every six months. There are exceptions to the work requirements, but in general you have to prove you meet the income thresholds as in, you are poor enough to qualify, and you are working.
The work requirements will apply to people ages of 19-64. To keep their insurance coverage under Medicaid they will have to demonstrate that they have earned at least $580 a month, or you are working (or volunteering) 80 hours per month or you are in school at least part time.
Those same 600,000 Oregonians will be getting notices starting in October explaining that they need to comply with the new work requirements, how they can prove or demonstrate that they are working and what they will need to do to stay covered. If you or a loved one gets one of those notices, follow the instructions closely.
There are exemptions where a person does not have to be working to keep their Medicaid insurance. They include: being the main caretakers of children under age 14, or someone with a disabling health condition of any age; having a disability such as blindness or a physical or intellectual disability that impairs the ability to perform activities of daily living; living or coping with certain medical conditions; having chronic substance use disorder and being in treatment; being an American Indian/Alaska Native; being pregnant including for up to one year after the pregnancy; being a former foster youth until you attain the age of 26; or being someone who was incarcerated in the last three months.
There will also be temporary exemptions from work requirements, such as if you are admitted to a hospital; have to spend a week away from home to get medical care for yourself or someone in your household; during a declared emergency; or when there is high unemployment in your county.
By the way, if you receive SNAP benefits and you have to meet work requirements to get SNAP benefits, you have met the work requirements for the Oregon Health Plan (OHP). If you do not have to meet work requirements to qualify for SNAP benefits you will have to meet work requirements to be on the OHP unless you meet one of the exceptions. Yes, it is confusing. Congress and the President made the eligibility and the work requirements different on purpose.
The renewal process is also changing. Currently most OHP participants can stay covered for two years without having to fill out a new application to determine their eligibility. Starting in late 2027, new federal rules will require many adults to renew their coverage every six months. Others will need to renew once per year.
Want to get a head start or do you need more details? Go to oregon.gov/oha/hsd/ohp/pages/federal-changes.aspx and follow the prompts on how to get help and stay covered.
For questions or to report changes to your contact information, call 800.699.9075, go to Benefits.Oregon.gov or visit your local Oregon Department of Human Services benefits office, found at oregon.gov/odhs/pages/office-finder.aspx.
You can also manage your benefits online using the free Oregon ONE Mobile app or by creating a ONE Online account at one.oregon.gov/UserRegistration/LoginCA.
You can also get help from a certified OHP assistant at OregonHealthCare.gov/GetHelp.
You should also know that your state representatives and senators are available to help too. Whether you live in the district I represent or somewhere else in Oregon, if you have trouble signing up do not hesitate to email your state representative and/or senator to get some assistance.
As noted, a similar process has been happening with SNAP as well. To understand the new work requirements for food stamps a little better, visit oregon.gov/odhs/food/pages/snap-time-limits.aspx.
This is a stressful time in our country for many reasons and, unfortunately, some of our friends, family and neighbors who rely on Medicaid might lose their health insurance. Please share this around so that we can make this go a little smoother as we try to keep people covered.
