Legislative Update June 14, 2013 As the General Assembly approaches the final two weeks of budget negotiations, the Medicaid battle rages on. In February, Governor John Kasich unconventionally chose to include Medicaid expansion in House Bill 59, Ohio’s biennial budget bill. This issue sparked debate as it met the conservative-majorities in both the House and Senate and as a result was eliminated as part of the budget bill. However, work continues on the Medicaid issue. State Representative Barbara Sears (R-Lucas County) introduced House Bill 176 shortly after Medicaid was stripped from the budget bill. Her version essentially replicates Kasich’s original plan, but does entail a few guardrails to ensure accountability and long-term sustainability, sticking points for many in her caucus. Regardless, two other legislative efforts are also underway to address Medicaid. This week, Representative Ron Amstutz (R- Wooster), Representative Vernon Sykes (D-Akron), Senator Dave Burke (R-Marysville) and Senator Capri Cafaro (D-Hubbard) championed Medicaid reform. While their bills do not expand Medicaid, they do have promises to one-day allow for it. Essentially, the reforms aim to hold down the cost of Medicaid to taxpayers, improve Medicaid members’ health and help Ohioans become qualified for better-paying jobs, so they won’t need state assistance with healthcare. Their endgame is to control the cost of Medicaid to eventually allow for access for thousands more Ohioans. A third attempt is underway and originates in the House with State Representatives Jim Butler (R-Oakwood) and John Adams (R-Sidney). They are working on legislation to both expand Medicaid and reform the system simultaneously. This legislation is still being drafted with plans to consider it over the summer months. Significant guardrails, qualifications and reform mandates will be included. Timetables on all three legislative trajectories continue to change. While many believe that something will be passed by June 30, other legislators strongly suggest that it will take until July or August to drum up adequate support.
Posted on: Sat, 15 Jun 2013 01:49:16 +0000