Kasich mulls new strategy for Medicaid expansion

With both the Ohio House and Senate poised to focus their attention on controlling cost in the Medicaid program rather than expanding it, Gov. John Kasich could attempt a different strategy for expanding Medicaid (Source: “Kasich weighs new path to Medicaid expansion,” Columbus Dispatch, Sept. 27, 2013).

Sen, Dave Burke, R-Marysville, who chairs the Senate Medicaid Finance Subcommittee, said he plans to introduce Medicaid legislation next week that will address the financial sustainability of the program, not address expansion.

“I’m focused on the problem in Medicaid — the ever-increasing consumption of the state budget,” Burke said. “If we can accommodate other services, that’s a discussion.”

Likewise, the Republican leadership in the House has said that while numerous Medicaid-related bills may be introduced as early as next week, they have given no indication that they would support any expansion legislation.

One possible strategy that Kasich could consider is getting approval from the seven-member Controlling Board, which includes a member appointed by the governor plus two Republicans and one Democrat from each chamber of the General Assembly.

“Funds for any changes to Medicaid require legislative approval, either by legislation or the Controlling Board, and the administration will be prepared to implement those changes whenever and however the General Assembly makes them possible,” said Kasich spokesman Rob Nichols. “We continue to actively consider any and all strategies for getting this done.”