Ohio Medicaid facing budget gap

As Medicaid enrollment increases amid the pandemic and recession, declining state revenue and a projected budget shortfall will challenge the $23 billion budget of the federal-state program, Medicaid Director Maureen Corcoran said during a virtual post-election conference (Source: “Ohio Medicaid caseload soars due to COVID-19, but now program faces budget gap of billions,” The Columbus Dispatch, Nov. 6).

Medicaid caseloads have surged during the coronavirus pandemic, topping 3 million this year, up 9%, from last year.

During a discussion on health care and Medicaid during Impact Ohio's post-election conference, Corcoran and representatives of the healthcare industry said the coronavirus has strained the system, but also spurred improvements, such as expanded telehealth services.