Ohio Senator Targets Medicaid Growth In Bill

A state senator in Ohio wants to create a new oversight body to keep growth in check within the Medicaid system. The five-member joint legislative panel is part of a package of changes unveiled on Thursday by Republican Dave Burke, of Marysville. The legislation did not include an expansion of Medicaid under the federal health care law, which Gov. John Kasich has pushed for. Burke proposes holding Medicaid growth to 3 percent per member, per month. The legislation doesn't dictate how that target would be met. Burke said the targets and his new oversight model would insulate Medicaid from politics and protect its long-term sustainability. State Sen. Capri Cafaro, a Hubbard Democrat, opted against co-sponsoring the measure. She said she believes true reform must include expanding the program.