Ohio News Network and CCN staff report
Columbus, OH – Ohio’s state budget goes into effect today and a broad-based coalition is expressing disappointment that the General Assembly did not include the governor’s plans in it to expand Medicaid, even though there are legislators on both sides of the aisle who support the issue.
State legislators are off for summer break, but they left some unfinished business that impacts hundreds of thousands of lives. The state budget goes into effect today, but the General Assembly did not include in it Governor John Kasich’s plans to expand Medicaid, which associate state director of AARP Ohio Bill Sundermeyer says is a disservice to Ohioans. He is voicing concern for the more than 275 thousand people who could, but don’t yet, have health-care coverage.
“It’s not through any fault of their own. They have working jobs where they can, they’re veterans who for various reason have not been able to qualify for VA coverage, and we feel strongly that this needs to be done and done quickly,” said Sundermeyer.
General Assembly members who oppose expansion say they are concerned the federal government won’t be able to maintain the funding long-term. But the governor has said it is unfair to Ohioans to refuse the federal dollars. Meanwhile, legislative leaders have promised to work on the issue over the summer, which could mean a resolution by mid-August.
AARP Ohio is part of a broad-based coalition – including hospitals, businesses, faith and labor leaders – that has repeatedly stated the case for extending coverage. Sundermeyer says Ohioans feel strongly that Medicaid expansion needs to happen.
“There are polls out there that indicate that the issue has the support of more than 60 percent of the population, and we feel strongly that it needs to get done and it needs to have serious attention in the legislative body,” Sundermeyer said.
Sundermeyer says the coalition is asking leaders when health-care coverage expansion hearings and a vote will be scheduled, so they can keep track of the process and know the target date for completion.
Photo credit: ohiostatehouse.org