By Catherine Candisky, The Columbus Dispatch
COLUMBUS – At Gov. John Kasich’s urging, the Republican-led state Controlling Board voted unanimously Monday to continue funding for taxpayer-financed health insurance for more than 3 million poor Ohioans.
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The legislative panel agreed to release $264 million in state funding to draw $638 million in federal matching money for Medicaid. The program provides health care to more than 1 in 4 residents.
Rep. Scott Ryan (R-Granville) said lawmakers want to keep close tabs on Medicaid, which eats up the biggest portion of the state budget.
“With this being the largest expenditure in our budget and the volatility in Washington … it’s prudent and necessary that we maintain the level of communication and cooperative efforts” with the administration, Ryan said.
The Kasich administration warned that without the money, payments to doctors, hospitals and other Medicaid providers would need to be cut 16 percent effective Jan. 1 or the program would run out of money in May; officials were recommending the latter.
Such deep cuts “would be devastating to all providers,” Medicaid Director Barb Sears told the panel during a 30-minute discussion before the vote.
State budget director Tim Keen said the administration operates Medicaid in a manner that is as “effective and efficient as possible.”
Sen. Bill Coley (R-West Chester) said majority lawmakers want to see work requirements and other Medicaid waivers submitted in a serious way, and soon.
Asked why he’s pressing on waivers that are already part of the budget, Coley said the administration can fulfill a legal obligation by checking some boxes, but he’s confident the administration will “push for real waivers and real change.”