COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Kasich administration is trying to skirting the Ohio General Assembly in an effort to achieve the Republican governor’s desire to expand Medicaid, leaving the plan’s future possibly hinging on approval from a little known, but powerful state panel.
Kasich’s administration plans to ask the State Controlling Board next Friday to allow the federal dollars to cover more low-income residents under the health care overhaul.
Kasich proposed Medicaid expansion in February but the GOP-controlled Legislature has balked at the idea under pressure from tea-party groups, who flexed their muscles again in reaction to the latest move.
“This will certainly affect his re-election bid in 2014 and that of any Republican who stands with him on Medicaid expansion,” Portage County TEA Party executive director Tom Zawistowski said.
The grass-roots organization’s front-man in Ohio, Zawistoski accused Kasich of “turning his back” on the GOP and voters by supporting a key component of President Barack Obama’s health care overhaul.
But the plan has drawn support from Statehouse Democrats, like House Minority Leader Tracy Maxwell Heard of Columbus.
“I am hopeful and cautiously optimistic that the state is moving forward to fully embrace President Obama’s signature law and provide needed healthcare for 275,000 Ohioans,” she said.
Kasich’s administration says Ohio has federal approval to expand the program. Now officials need legislative sign-off to spend the federal money on the newly eligible Medicaid enrollees.
Ohio Republican Party chairman Matt Borges sounded more non-committal on Medicaid expansion in general.
“Conservatives all oppose Obamacare and Ohio’s Republican leaders have helped lead that opposition. On the separate matter of Medicaid, good conservatives have worked to make the program better and engage in a healthy debate on its future,” Borges said.
Under the Affordable Care Act, the federal government has promised to cover the entire cost of the expansion for the first three years and 90 percent for subsequent years.
Kasich’s administration wants the board to authorize the spending. The panel handles certain adjustments to the state budget.
“I have grave concerns about the place, the time and the substance of this proposed Controlling Board action. Based on our solid track record of passing tough bills, I would expect a far superior and more creative solution by legislative enactment than what I fear may result from effectively crimping the legislative process,” said Rep. Ron Amstutz (R-Wooster), chairman of the House Finance and Appropriations Committee and a member of the Controlling Board.
The Controlling Board is a seven-member committee made up of four Republicans and three Democrats. Four votes would be required to approve the administration’s request.