Timetable for new Medicaid health care programs

The Strickland administration has announced the implementation timetable for health care programs called for under the most recent biennial budget. (Source: Gongwer Ohio Report, November 29, 2007.) According to Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) spokeswoman Scarlet Bouder, the increase of Medicaid eligibility for "pregnant women earning up to 200% of the federal poverty level and to cover individuals aging out of foster care up to 21 years of age will go into effect on or before Jan. 31." A buy-in program for disabled adults will by implemented by April 1st. ODJFS is still awaiting federal approval for expanding the eligibility of the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) from families earning 150% of the federal poverty level to 300% FPL. Bouder also said ODJFS was still working on the Medicaid buy-in program for children with special needs from families earning more than 300% FPL.

The timetable announcement comes a week after the Strickland administration delayed the implementation of Medicaid rate changes and the reinstatement dental coverage due to budget and caseload concerns. When Governor Strickland was asked whether predicted economic conditions would permit the state to adhere to the planned implementation schedule, he said “"What we have rolled out today I believe is consistent with what we will be able to accomplish. I will continuously monitor our situation and will make decisions based upon conditions as they develop."