News Releases

Governor’s Stance to Support Medicaid Expansion Applauded

The Center for Health Affairs applauds Governor Kasich’s call to support Medicaid expansion, highlighted during his State of the State address last night. As the leading advocate for Northeast Ohio hospitals, The Center understands that expanding Medicaid is the right thing to do to keep our region’s hospitals strong. Governor Kasich’s comments demonstrate that he understands just what is at stake should his colleagues in the legislature fail to support Medicaid expansion. 

The federal government is going to end this aid to hospitals that serve the uninsured [Disproportionate Share Funding]…The federal government is going to phase this out. Do you know what this is going to do to rural hospitals? Do you know what this is going to do to urban hospitals if we turn this down? 

Medicaid expansion wouldn’t just support hospitals; it would support the patients they serve. With 252,000 uninsured Ohioans gaining access to health coverage in 2014, Medicaid expansion would enable more Ohioans to access care and promote more efficient healthcare delivery. Many of those who have relied on their emergency department for routine healthcare services, would now be able seek care in a more appropriate – and less expensive – setting. Medicaid expansion would provide a safety net for some of the state’s most vulnerable citizens, such as the disabled and those with behavioral health diagnoses. Governor Kasich understands this as well. 

For those who live in the shadows of life, for those who are the least among us, I will not accept the fact that the most vulnerable in our state should be ignored. 

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Governor Kasich for his vision and leadership on this issue and we hope lawmakers seriously consider his call to support Medicaid expansion in Ohio. Visit the health policy issue section of our website for an overview of Ohio Medicaid. To learn more about Medicaid expansion and how it would impact hospitals and the communities they serve, contact Deanna Moore at 216.255.3614 or deanna.moore@chanet.org.