State senator unveils plan to expand Medicaid, limit spending growth

Democratic State Sen. Capri Cafaro introduced a proposal this week to expand Medicaid coverage and cap the cost growth of the program at a roughly 3.5 percent rate, compared to the current rate of 7.2 percent per year (Source: “Senator hopes bill will spur Medicaid action,” Associated Press via Newark Advocate, July 30, 2013).

According to an analysis by the Health Policy Institute of Ohio and Ohio State University’s John Glenn School of Public Affairs, without expansion, total Medicaid spending in Ohio is projected to reach $43.4 billion in 2025 at its current rate. With extended coverage and the Medicaid growth rate maintained at 3.5 percent per year, spending could be $37.2 billion in 2025.

State Sen. Dave Burke, a Marysville Republican, said he’s taking a “trust but verify” approach with the analysis.

Burke, who chairs a Medicaid subcommittee, said his panel is scheduled to hold a hearing later this month on the numbers and is also having the figures reviewed by another organization.