Graphic of the Week: Medicaid expansion

As Ohio and federal policymakers consider the future of expanded eligibility for Medicaid, a new illustration from HPIO shows examples of the types of jobs with an average pay that would currently make Ohioans eligible for Medicaid under expansion. The graphic is included in HPIO’s recently released brief “Policy Considerations: The Future of Group VIII (expansion) Medicaid Coverage in Ohio.”
 
As the U.S. Congress deliberates plans to reduce federal spending, including proposals to drastically cut funding for Medicaid, Gov. Mike DeWine included in his state budget proposal a provision that if the federal share of Medicaid funding is reduced, the Ohio Department of Medicaid “shall immediately discontinue all medical assistance for members of the [Medicaid expansion] group.”
 
This would drastically reduce access to health care for hundreds of thousands of Ohioans, most of whom are employed. In 2018, Medicaid reported that 94% of Group VIII enrollees were either employed, in school, taking care of family members (such as children or grandchildren), participating in an alcohol and drug treatment program or dealing with intensive physical health and/or a mental health illness.
 
The income eligibility limit for Medicaid enrollees is set as a percentage of the federal poverty level (FPL). The illustration above shows examples of occupations held by people earning below the FPL threshold for expanded Medicaid eligibility.
 
Learn more about Medicaid in Ohio by viewing HPIO’s recently released Ohio Medicaid Basics 2025.