This morning, Oregon became one of the 12 states to grant health insurance to every child, non-dependent on their family’s income or qualification for the Oregon Health Plan. Gov. Ted Kulongoski signed a bill at 10:30 at a Portland children’s hospital, which will provide health care for an estimated 80,000 children statewide. The plan will depend on a 1 percent tax on health insurance premiums to include the addition children’s health coverage.
“Statewide, kids are going to be healthier and smarter, and we are all going to benefit from it.”
Kulongoski said this morning.
This new influx of young patients may come as a relief to families across the state, but leaves pediatricians searching for increased staff, supply, and general care funding. The health plan’s payments do not cover doctor’s cost in the Portland area, forcing many doctors to turn away new patients included in the new plan. This means that some of the newly added children may have to travel father distances to receive health care, although this time with the additional insurance plan bonus.
The plan will be set into action on Oct. 1.