New poverty guidelines make more eligible for Oregon Health Plan

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Story Published: Jan 25, 2008 at 3:49 PM PST

Story Updated: Jan 25, 2008 at 3:49 PM PST

By Associated Press

SALEM, Ore. (AP) - New income guidelines mean more poor people will be eligible for public programs, including the Oregon Health Plan.

The federal government released the guidelines Wednesday that determine eligibility for programs such as discounted school lunches, legal services and food stamps.

In 2008, a family of three with an annual income of $17,600 or less qualifies as poor. That's up from $17,170 in 2007 by 2.5 percent. The guidelines' definition of poverty varies according to family size.

The Oregon Center for Public Policy says more people will be eligible for the Oregon Health Plan's standard benefit coverage, which is about to reopen for enrollment. It has been closed since 2004.

The state is accepting reservations from Jan. 28 to Feb. 29 to participate in a lottery for enrollment.

Those on the reservation list will participate in a monthly lottery in which 2,000 names will be randomly chosen and invited to apply for the Oregon Health Plan, designed to expand Medicaid coverage to the working poor.

The Oregon Health Plan served 132,000 poor people at its peak, but budget cuts eventually led to the closure of the program in 2004.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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