Oregon removes immigration status as Medicaid coverage obstacle

By Andrew Cass / July 7, 2023

Medicaid coverage in Oregon is available to all adults and children who meet eligibility criteria — regardless of immigration status — as of July 1.  

The change initially applies to about 40,000 people ages 26  to 54 who moved automatically from emergency coverage to full Medicaid benefits, according to a July 6 news release from Oregon Health Plan, the state's Medicaid program. 

The expanded coverage follows legislative efforts in 2022 to make coverage available to those ages 19 to 25 and 55 and older regardless of immigration status, according to the release.