Oregon no longer plans to provide Medicaid services to those about to leave jail or prison
The program aimed to reduce health risks post-release but was canceled due to administrative challenges and federal Medicaid funding cuts, affecting thousands of formerly incarcerated Oregonians.
- Monday, the Oregon Health Authority notified state prisons it will not implement the Medicaid reentry benefits program due to extensive technical work and limited time for eligibility updates.
- Earlier this year, officials had paused the launch while anticipating House Resolution 1, amid a CMS waiver valid only through 2027 and Trump administration limits on funding tools.
- The planned $64 million program targeted incarcerated adults about to exit jail or prison to bridge care gaps and reduce opioid overdose risk after release.
- Advocates immediately warned the cancellation risks `more overdoses, untreated illness and even preventable death`, and State Rep. Pam Marsh, D-Ashland, called it a `tremendous loss`.
- The Oregon Health Plan will still launch other programs, as Emma Sandoe, Oregon Medicaid Director, said it is `proud of the work on this program to date` despite CMS warnings about limited flexibility.
17 Articles
17 Articles

Oregon abandons Medicaid expansion for people leaving prison, months after delaying launch
The Oregon State Penitentiary in Salem. (Photo by Ron Cooper/Oregon Capital Chronicle)Oregon Health Authority this week notified state prisons and other officials that it no longer intends to implement a novel Medicaid initiative that would have provided targeted health services to those about to exit jail or prison. The move comes several months after health officials quietly placed the program’s launch on hold, anticipating the passage of swee…
Oregon No Longer Plans to Provide Medicaid Services to Those About to Leave Jail or Prison
Oregon Health Authority this week notified state prisons and other officials that it no longer intends to implement a novel Medicaid initiative that would have provided targeted health services to those about to exit jail or prison.

Oregon no longer plans to provide Medicaid services to those about to leave jail or prison
Oregon Health Authority this week notified state prisons and other officials that it no longer intends to implement a novel Medicaid initiative that would have provided targeted health services to those about to exit jail or prison.
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