Oregon uses lottery for state-sponsored health care

In our community, we have a volunteer clinic run by local doctors to serve the uninsured. They do not take Medicare or Medicaid patients, nor will they serve patients with insurance. Instead, their goal is to get health care to those in the middle who have too much of an income to qualify for Medicaid, but who can't afford health insurance. The need is so great, however, that patients start lining up early in the morning before the clinic opens and often wait long hours to be seen.

Oregon has a similar, state-run idea. They put aside money in 1995 for this same group of people, but closed enrollment a few years ago. Now, however, there are a few thousand openings and the state is holding a lottery for new applicants. So far, 80,000 people have applied.

The program covers basic health care and prescriptions, as well as some limited dental and vision. Applicants will find out over the course of the next few months if they qualify.