The state of Oregon will receive nearly $26 million to offset its health coverage costs for low-income children.
The funds, announced by the federal Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services, go to states that have boosted and streamlined enrollment since 2009 in their children's Medicaid program. In all, $306 million went to 23 states.
Called "performance bonuses," the funds were authorized by the Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009. The law tried to reverse an earlier incentive system that critics said rewarded states for not enrolling kids. The state has broad leeway in how to spend the money.
"When children and families have health care coverage they are more likely to receive primary care, more likely to stay healthy, and less likely to face medical debt or bankruptcy," said Oregon Health Authority spokesperson Alissa Robbins.
Oregon's bonus is the third largest among states, trailing only Colorado and Maryland. Here, Oregon's Office of Healthy Kids has overseen enrollment efforts.
A review of the Healthy Kids program by The Oregonian in July found that despite enrollment gains, state officials misused surveys in a way that exaggerated Healthy Kids' success and faced problems with a $5 million program that enlists nonprofits for enrollment help.
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