A Lottery for Health Insurance?

Although winning money in the lottery is great excitement, how about health insurance for the big prize? Well, the state of Oregon has decided to put together a one of a kind lottery with the winners getting a health insurance policy.

The lottery is meant for people who are not poor enough to receive Medicaid but not wealthy enough to purchase their own policy. While not everybody will win, this lottery is sure to open a lot of eyes. After all, there is something wrong with the health insurance industry in the United States if the only way people can afford coverage is to win it through a lottery system. If this does not open eyes, nothing will!

Believe it or not, more than 80,000 people have registered for a chance at this prize. Out of that number, only a couple thousand will be eligible for the actual drawing. After all, it is only fair that the lottery is limited to people who could actually use the coverage.

The Oregon Department of Human Services reports that there are approximately 600,000 uninsured residents in the state. A series of drawings over the next few months will determine which residents win a standard benefit program. This is a solid plan that covers the majority of basic health expenses, as well as some dental, prescriptions, and hospitalization.

With the interest so high in this lottery, many other states may consider moving in this direction. Hopefully there will come a time in the near future when a lottery is not needed for people to obtain health insurance coverage. But until then, this is a great way to give Oregon residents the chance at a better life.