News Releases

Cleveland City Council Medicaid Extension Efforts Applauded

Ordinance urges Ohio lawmakers to extend coverage to uninsured

The City of Cleveland issued resolution number 427-13 on Monday, March 25th urging Governor Kasich and the Ohio General Assembly to include Medicaid extension in the 2014-2015 biennial budget. The resolution points to the expansion as an opportunity to provide healthcare to 600,000 low-income, working Ohioans who are currently uninsured.

The resolution, passed by Cleveland City Council, identifies the Medicaid extension as the best choice for the health of Ohio residents, its community hospitals and the economy. According the Ohio Medicaid Expansion Study, which is cited by the resolution, extending eligibility requirements to include Ohioans making up to 138 percent of the federal poverty level would reduce the current uninsured population by more than 450,000. 

“The initiative taken by the Cleveland City Council to pass a resolution supporting Medicaid extension is a testament to the importance of extending coverage to the uninsured,” said Deanna Moore, vice president of corporate communications for The Center for Health Affairs. “The Center applauds the efforts of the city of Cleveland and all municipalities committed to establishing broad-based support for this critical issue.” 

Governor Kasich’s 2014-2015 executive budget proposal includes provisions from the recently passed Affordable Care Act to extend Medicaid eligibility for Ohio’s uninsured residents. The proposal is currently working its way through the state legislature; however, several municipalities have already begun issuing resolutions urging lawmakers to include the provision to extend coverage. The Ohio General Assembly has until June 31, 2013 to pass the budget, which will be enacted immediately after it is signed by the Governor.

An official copy of the resolution can be found by visiting the Cleveland City Council website. Additional information regarding Medicaid extension, as well as other important health topics, can be found on The Center for Health Affairs website. 

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