PHE stands for Public Health Emergency and was declared by the President at the start of the pandemic. The federal government also created the “Family First Coronavirus Response Act”, which made it easier for people to enroll in Medicaid and the Oregon Health Plan. During the Public Health Emergency (PHE), the federal government also paused the re-enrollment process. People enrolled in the Oregon Health Plan (OHP) during the PHE kept their benefits even if they did not meet eligibility requirements. In January the government signed a new, large bill into law that unlinked the Family First Coronavirus Response Act from the Public Health Emergency.  It was not long after that it was announced that the PHE would also end on May 11, ending any special programs or supports that were in place because of the pandemic.