Ohio Medicaid enrollment growing at record clip

With its rolls swelling by 154,000 in the past 12 months, Medicaid enrollment and spending are now at record levels in Ohio (Source: “Medicaid keeps stretching,” Columbus Dispatch, Oct. 11, 2009).

The 12-month increase in enrollment is the largest caseload growth in nearly seven years and means the program now covers nearly 2 million Ohioans (1 out of every 3 children and nearly 1 out of every 5 adults).

Interim Ohio Medicaid Director Maureen Corcoran, attributes the dramatic increase in Medicaid enrollment almost entirely to rising unemployment in Ohio.

"The dramatic increase is not occurring in the disabled category -- it's in the children and families category," she said.

The counter-cyclical nature of Medicaid means its costs typically increase at times in which state revenues are down. But despite the state budget crisis, Medicaid has avoided cuts in eligibility levels or services because of $1.1 billion in federal stimulus funds. However, there is increasing concern that the state may have to take drastic steps when stimulus money is exhausted at the end of 2010.

Through support from the HealthPath Foundation of Ohio, the Health Policy Institute of Ohio is undertaking an analysis of Ohio’s safety net services in light of the severe economic recession. A white paper on the topic is expected to be released in December.