Panic Over Medicaid Cuts Unwarranted Notes Oregon Rep

Oregon Republican Congressman Cliff Bentz said changes to Medicaid will impact fewer Oregonians than Democrats claim.

“If you look carefully, one finds that the work requirement applies to about, we think, 65,000 people in Oregon," Bentz said.  "You’d think it was millions; but it is not because so many people are exempt."

The work requirement begins in a year.   Bentz recently told KBND News in Bend he agrees Medicaid is essential.

“One thing that people will not point out, that are opposed to what we are doing, at no point - as we look into the future - will we be spending less on Medicaid than we are spending today," Bentz said.  "What happens is, the growth of the program slows."

The Oregon Health Authority estimates the state will lose over $ 3.3 billion in the next biennium, due to the changes made to Medicaid spending and reimbursements.

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