OHP available to 35,000 new low-income adults

Published 4:00 pm Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Approximately 35,000 low-income adult Oregonians now have the opportunity to sign up for the Oregon Health Plan, thanks to funding approved by the 2009 Legislature. The legislature also passed health care funding for all Oregon children.The legislature also passed health care funding for all Oregon children.

Some 140,000 adult Oregonians, however, are eligible to sign up for the OHP.

To try to make the selection fair, the state plans to draw applicant names from a “reservation list” each month. Individuals are encouraged to apply for benefits now to get their names “in the hat.”

DHS has set up a Web site and toll-free number for people to add their names to the reservation list. A drawing was held Feb. 1 and drawings will continue on a regular basis until the money is gone.

To add a name, go to www.oregon.gov/DHS/open or call 800 699-9075. Also, any local Department of Human Services office can take a request for a reservation packet. Local county health departments, most hospitals and health care clinics also have reservation packets.