Ohio House Speaker says he won’t seek Medicaid expansion repeal

New Ohio House Speaker Cliff Rosenberger, who had previously opposed Medicaid expansion, signaled earlier this week that he won't actively seek to repeal extending Medicaid benefits to thousands of Ohioans (Source: “Ohio House Speaker Cliff Rosenberger says he won't press to repeal Medicaid expansion,” Cleveland Plain Dealer, Jan. 26, 2015).

Authority to accept federal funding for Medicaid expansion was originally given by the state Controlling Board in 2013, but that authority expires at the end of June. The first three years of Medicaid expansion are paid 100 percent with federal funds, and after 2016 the percentage gradually reduces to 90 percent.

"The truth of the matter is, we're not talking about expansion anymore – we're talking about reauthorization," Rosenberger said.

But the Clinton County Republican, speaking with Statehouse reporters earlier this week, said he would support reauthorizing Medicaid expansion only if it's done in a financially stable way and comes with additional cost-saving measures.