Oregon Preps Medicaid Patients for Climate Change with Essential Gadgets

TL/DR –

Oregon is using Medicaid funds to deliver air conditioners, air purifiers, and power banks to vulnerable residents to help prevent health issues from climate-related disasters. This unique approach, part of a $1.1 billion five-year effort addressing social needs, has been adopted by at least 20 states and is part of a wider Biden administration strategy to expand Medicaid beyond traditional medical care. However, critics argue that this could duplicate existing programs and divert critical resources from individuals waiting for essential medical care.

Equipment Aimed at Mitigating Health Effects of Extreme Temperatures and Wildfire Smoke

Oregon has begun distributing air conditioners, air purifiers, and power banks to some of its most vulnerable residents. This initiative, a first-of-its-kind in the U.S., applies Medicaid funds to prevent the potentially fatal health effects of extreme heat, wildfire smoke, and other climate-related disasters.

The equipment distribution, which started in March, aligns with the Biden administration’s strategy of extending Medicaid beyond traditional medical care into social services. At least 20 states, including California, Massachusetts, and Washington, direct Medicaid dollars into social service programs. However, Oregon is the pioneer in explicitly using Medicaid funds for climate-related costs as part of a five-year, $1.1 billion effort to address social needs.

State and federal health officials aim to demonstrate the cost-effectiveness of preventive measures against climate-related health issues. They argue that climate change is a health care issue, and accordingly, supporting Oregon’s poorest and sickest residents in preparing for potentially dangerous weather conditions is logical.

However, critics argue this expansion may duplicate existing federal programs and divert essential resources from needy Americans. Gary Alexander, director of the Medicaid and Health Safety Net Reform Initiative at the Paragon Health Institute, pointed out that many intellectually disabled individuals are on Medicaid waitlists while funds are being allocated to housing, food, and air conditioners.

According to the U.S. government’s Fifth National Climate Assessment, climate change poses a growing health risk. The adverse effects disproportionately impact low-income Americans and people of color, often covered by Medicaid. A report by the Oregon Health Authority highlights that most of the 102 Oregonians who died during the 2021 heat wave were elderly, isolated, and living with low incomes.

Through this initiative, Oregon aims to provide resources to help an estimated 200,000 residents manage their health at home before extreme weather or climate-related disasters occur. This includes providing air conditioning units, mini fridges for medication storage, portable power supplies for medical devices during outages, space heaters for winter, and air filters to improve air quality during wildfire seasons.

Some insurers have already begun to distribute these resources to Medicaid patients, aiming to equip their homes before the summer fire season.

While other states have used Medicaid money to purchase air conditioners and air purifiers for enrollees, Oregon is the first to do it under the category of climate change. California provides air purifiers to asthma patients, and New York recently received federal approval to provide air conditioners to asthma patients.

Oregon health officials plan to evaluate the program’s cost-effectiveness by reviewing patient claim records in the future. The findings could influence other states’ strategies, but the diverse nature of climate change impacts across states presents challenges.

Despite the challenges, the potential cost savings are evident. Kaiser Permanente, for example, estimated that providing air conditioners to vulnerable patients prevented $42,000 in heat-related ER visits and $400,000 in hospital admissions. As extreme weather becomes more common due to climate change, the need for preventive measures rises, especially among the most vulnerable populations.

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