Oregon scrambles to address delays for Medicaid

Oregon Medicaid advisers, alarmed by the turbulent rollout of a new rent assistance benefit, pressed state health officials this week for answers over delays they acknowledged have left thousands of low-income Oregonians waiting for help.

Members of a state Medicaid advisory subcommittee heard during a meeting this week that officials deeply underestimated eligibility for the program and couldn’t say during the meeting how much money has already been spent.

Officials also had left regional Medicaid providers to determine for themselves how to administer the program, and their approach — and wait times — have varied widely. Advisory members said this patchwork approach makes it harder for applicants to navigate the process, especially in areas served by multiple health plans.

The concern