The president of the Ohio senate says state lawmakers are open to pursuing a Medicaid bill before the end of the year. Speaking at the City Club of Cleveland, Keith Faber says the bill would likely be a departure from the Medicaid expansion endorsed by Gov. John Kasich. The Ohio House has rejected Kasich's proposal to go along with the federal Medicaid expansion plan, which would cover hundreds of thousands of additional Ohioans. Faber says senators know thereâs a need for coverage among people with disabilities, mental health problems and addiction. And, he says, lawmakers are still open to what he calls Medicaid "reform." But he declined give definitive details.
"Will it mean the expansion that the governor proposed, or will it mean something else. My guess is that it will mean something else.
He says lawmakers are looking into getting a waiver from the federal government to depart from the Medicaid expansion as laid out by the Affordable Care Act. Robin Bachman at Sisters of Charity Health System heard Faberâs remarks, and says sheâs glad thereâs still a chance the state will offer Medicaid coverage to more people.
He didnât seem to shut the door on that, so it was hopeful in my mind. I would love to hear that it was going to happen sooner rather than later.
Bachman says sheâs still hopeful Ohio will approve a full expansion. Faber says heâd like to pass a bill by the end of the year.