Nation IN BRIEF : OREGON : New Law Expands Medicaid Coverage

Gov. Barbara Roberts signed into law a bill that launches Oregon’s health care plan by extending Medicaid coverage to thousands of uninsured people. The expansion of Medicaid to 120,000 poverty-level Oregonians, beginning in February, will be financed by a 10-cent-a-pack increase in the state’s cigarette tax. Oregon received Clinton Administration approval to extend Medicaid coverage to more poor people by limiting the services the state will pay for. The Legislaturehas delayed requirements that businesses provide health coverage to 280,000 uninsured workers.