Senate Republicans unveil plan aimed at curbing Medicaid spending

Ohio Senate Republicans on Thursday unveiled their plan to reform Medicaid spending, but the legislation does not include an expansion of the program (Source: “Ohio Senate GOP releases Medicaid plan,” Toledo Blade, Oct. 11, 2013).

State Sen. Dave Burke (R.- Marysville) introduced a bill setting broad goals of keeping annual growth in health-care costs below 3 percent, calculated per patient per month, and improving results for patients from the taxpayer-funded health-care they receive. It also would create an oversight panel to work with lawmakers and the governor’s office to meet those goals.

“Whether or not Medicaid expansion occurs by any means is a separate issue,” Mr. Burke said. “However, bending the cost curve of Medicaid is always solid policy.”

Over the summer, the Health Policy Institute of Ohio and the Ohio State University provided analysis to Sen. Burke and Sen. Capri Cafaro (D. –Hubbard) as they considered options for potentially improving the sustainability of the Medicaid program and increasing access to care.