Halloween Celebration in Ashland, Oregon

The locals at a Bed and Breakfast (B&B) in Ashland, Oregon shared their health insurance stories while its guests celebrated Halloween. The town—which is known for its Shakespeare festivals—welcomed back tourists on a gorgeous fall weekend.

  • Business owners: The family who owned the B&B also owned hotels throughout the country. The business offered employer-based coverage to all eligible hotel employees, including family members who worked at the B&B. These family members were covered by a national carrier, which offered health plans in Oregon and other states where the business had hotels.
  • Hourly employees: The B&B’s other employees were hourly workers who were not eligible for employer-based coverage. One was covered by her husband’s employer plan. Another was young enough to be covered by her parent’s plan. A third was covered through Oregon’s Health Insurance Marketplace and hoped to have union benefits soon through the Screen Actors Guild.  
  • Contract workers: Like others in the service industry, the B&B used contract workers to provide cleaning, landscaping, and maintenance services. Some might have qualified for Medicaid given their income levels, or enrolled through the state’s marketplace. If any were undocumented, they were not eligible for coverage through government programs.

In Oregon, nearly 95 percent of all residents have health insurance. They are less likely to be uninsured compared to their fellow Americans, only 91 percent of whom are covered. The results may reflect efforts by Oregon’s marketplace, as well as expansion of the state’s Medicaid program.

Ashland’s economy had suffered not only because of the pandemic’s effect on tourism, but the fires that caused additional cancelations (and horrific damage). But the town’s residents were resilient, as was this B&B. And, of course, the owners, employees, and contractors are Mastering Health Insurance.

PHOTO: If you’re in the area, enjoy Lithia Park, Japanese Maples, and (of course) some Shakespeare.

SOURCE: KFF (State Health Facts 2020)