Oregon
CMS recently approved the expansion of the Oregon Department of Human Services’ program aimed at providing older adults and people with disabilities more options to live independently in their own homes

Eugene, OR – According to the state officials, with this approval, the ODHS Office of Aging and People with Disabilities can introduce a new version of its Oregon Project Independence program, now supported with Medicaid funds. The expansion will initially serve individuals on waiting lists for OPI support, with new applications potentially being accepted as early as spring 2025.
This Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services approval marks a significant milestone for ODHS as it continues to offer Oregonians more choices through innovative solutions. Launched in Oregon in 1975, OPI was among the first programs of its kind and remains unique nationally.
The new program, Oregon Project Independence – Medicaid (OPI-M), will:
- Provide Medicaid-funded services without estate recovery: This means older adults can receive Medicaid-funded services without their assets being used to cover the cost of services after their death. This change supports ODHS’ goal of ensuring financial stability for families, allowing them to pass down life savings across generations.
- Increase income limits for eligibility: This will allow more individuals to qualify for in-home services and supports, expanding access to essential care.
The expansion of OPI reflects ODHS’ ongoing commitment to providing comprehensive and accessible support for older adults and people with disabilities in Oregon.
-
Crime & Safety1 week agoMom cIaims she ‘had no expIanation’ other than fearing her spouse would also harm her after aIIowing the man to regularIy beat their 5-year-old chiId, not give her food and not seek medicaI heIp for 10 days while the child was coughing up bIood, until she died: DA
-
Crime & Safety1 week agoMan told police “his spouse made a mistake and should have just forgiven her, but he kiIIed her for it” after getting drunk and kiIIing the woman at the famiIy’s home after accusing her of infideIity, cIaiming he had bIacked out after drinking the aIcohoI: DA
-
Crime & Safety6 days agoMom who was seen outside her home smoking and appeared caIm when the ambuIance arrived to take her unresponsive 3-year-old chiId, then confessed that she intentionaIIy pIaced a pIastic covering over the toddIer’s head untiI she showed no signs of Iife, kiIIing her, is charged
-
Eugene5 days agoMultiple DUII arrests reported in Eugene over New Year’s holiday, including two crashes
-
Eugene5 days agoEugene Springfield Fire responds to house fire in rural Santa Clara neighborhood
-
Eugene5 days agoEugene Springfield Fire highlights crew with all members from BLS program
-
Crime & Safety5 hours agoMom who was ingesting an iIIegaI substance in a separate room for an extended period of time while Ieaving her 1-year-old baby unattended, during which time the chiId ended up in a Iarge container of water, leading to his death, is charged
-
Crime & Safety5 hours agoWoman told the father of her 1-year-old baby that she ‘now needed to go get her’ after waIking in on her hoIding a firearm and his chiId Iying nearby with apparent Iife-threatening injuries, later pronounced dead, while the girI’s 2-year-old sibIing was crying for heIp: police
