Oregon Launches Its Own Health Insurance Marketplace, Explore Health
On November 1, Oregon's new state-run health insurance marketplace, Explore Health, officially launched, replacing the federal platform HealthCare.gov. State residents can now use the platform to shop for coverage, check subsidy eligibility and enroll. The state health authority said the platform has received conditional approval from the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and serves people who do not have employer coverage and are not enrolled in the Oregon Health Plan, Medicare or Veterans Affairs programs.
The launch marks Oregon's shift from a federally managed platform to a state-based marketplace, giving the state greater autonomy over platform operations and subsidy administration. The underlying legislation is Senate Bill 972 of 2023; the state said the platform is intended to improve residents' access to financial assistance and quality coverage.
The health authority reminded residents that open enrollment has begun. People who need coverage can visit ExploreHealthOR.gov for details and check whether they qualify for financial assistance through the platform.
Source: GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 位于 Salem 的俄勒冈州议会大厦（资料图）。M.O. Stevens摄，CC BY-SA 3.0，经Wikimedia Commons。 / The Oregon State Capitol in Salem (file photo). Photo by M.O. Stevens, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
