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State’s low-income climate benefit takes effect in time for heat wave

The Oregon Health Authority says hundreds of air conditioners have been distributed so far
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BRUNO/PIXABAY
July 9, 2024

With most of Oregon under excessive heat warnings, the Oregon Health Authority has reported that a new benefit has led to the distribution of nearly 1,000 air conditioners or other climate-related devices to low-income people. 

New rules adopted for the Oregon Health Plan, the state’s version of Medicaid, spell out how federal funds can be spent on air conditioners and other climate-control devices for qualifying individuals. Starting more than a decade ago, Oregon officials have pushed for flexibility to spend federal funds on air-conditioners and other devices to improve the health outcomes of people covered by the plan. In the past, those efforts bore limited fruit due to federal accountability concerns, and state officials previously didn’t track how many people actually received them. 

Earlier this year the federal government issued a scaled-back approval of a benefit sought by state officials to help low-income people cope with extreme weather events brought on by climate change. 

Of the 939 devices distributed between March and May, air conditioners account for 44%, while the remainder included air filtration machines, replacement filters and heaters. Oregon Health Plan members also received mini-refrigerators to store medications and portable power supplies to operate ventilators and other medical equipment during power outages. 

“People with lower incomes and chronic conditions are among those most likely to experience heat exhaustion, heat stroke or complications of other health conditions related to extreme climate events,” Dave Baden, health authority deputy director, said in a statement. “Access to these services will reduce health disparities and offer life-saving resources to people in Oregon.”

To be eligible, climate-related resources must be part of a member’s health needs or treatment. Members cannot live in a shared home or shelter and need consistent access to electricity. For more information, state officials recommended interested members contact their regional coordinated care organization, which oversee services. Even if the member is not eligible for the benefit, they may be able to access climate-related benefits through a different flexible spending program authorized by the state. 

Oregon Health Plan members not enrolled in a coordinated care organization, called “fee-for-service” or “open card,” can call 888-834-4304 or email [email protected].

Those not enrolled in the Oregon Health Plan, such as Medicare recipients, are encouraged to learn about the state’s Air Conditioner and Air Filter Deployment Program which allows people to fill out an online form requesting an eligibility screening. Local programs may also be available through a person’s county of residence.


You can reach Jake Thomas at [email protected] or via Twitter @jthomasreports

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