By Jim Siegel, Catherine Candisky and Randy Ludlow of The Columbus Dispatch, and staff reports
COLUMBUS – Ohio House Democrats are urging Gov. John Kasich to use his line-item veto to eliminate the freeze on Medicaid expansion included in the state operating budget and the leading Republicans in the Statehouse wouldn’t be surprised if he does just that.
The request was contained in a letter signed by the House Democratic leadership, who claim Ohio families would “spiral into debt, illness and despair” without the coverage.
“Passing the Medicaid expansion freeze and kicking people off of Medicaid is unacceptable, harmful, and cruel and unusual punishment,” said Minority Whip Emilia Strong Sykes (D-Akron), one of the signees.
Sykes and her fellow Democrats say the freeze on Ohio’s Medicaid expansion would phase out medical coverage for over half-a-million Ohioans.
The House and Senate gave final approval Wednesday to the new two-year, $65.5 billion budget that also provides more money for most Franklin County schools.
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Votes in both chambers were largely along party lines, 24-8 in the Senate and 59-38 in the House. The budget bill now goes to Gov. John Kasich, who will sign it on Friday but not before issuing what is expected to be dozens of line-item vetoes that, some expect, will include the expansion freeze.
Lawmakers wanting to rollback Medicaid expansion approved a freeze in enrollment starting in July 1, 2018, after which no new Ohioans could enroll, and those already enrolled at that date could not come back on the program later, if they temporarily get a better job but then lose it, unless they are getting mental health or drug addiction treatment.
But language directing the administration to obtain the required federal approval is vague, raising speculation that Kasich, who opposes the move, could ignore the directive if he decides not to veto it and set up a potential veto override showdown.
Both Senate President Larry Obhof (R-Medina) and House Speaker Cliff Rosenberger (R-Clarksville), above right, told members they may return to session next week for potential veto override votes.
Neither leader would publicly speculate what Kasich planned to veto, but many expect the Medicaid expansion to be among them.
“We’re not coming back unless we have the numbers to override,” Rosenberger said. But, he added, that looking at today’s budget vote, “I think we would have the votes to do what we need to do.”