Oregon clears Medicaid backlog, removes 55,000 people

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - Oregon has removed nearly 55,000 people off of its Medicaid program after a backlog of eligibility checks was processed.

The Oregonian/OregonLive reports the state kicked out people they found no longer qualified for the program or failed to respond to the eligibility check. The state's announcement came Thursday, which was the Oregon Health Authority's deadline to clear the backlog of 115,000 Medicaid enrollees.

The backlog developed because of technology troubles and the increase in Medicaid enrollment under the Affordable Care Act.

Annual eligibility reviews typically find about 28 percent of Oregonians on Medicaid no longer qualify. The latest removal was 48 percent.

Medicaid provides health care for people with low incomes, so to qualify in Oregon a single person cannot earn more than $17,000 a year.