Ohio General Assembly passes Ohio Medicaid reforms

A Republican-backed bill that began the week banning Medicaid payments to family caregivers in Ohio ended up without that provision and with overwhelming approval, even from some Democratic lawmakers (Source: “Lawmakers easily approve Ohio Medicaid changes after earlier controversy,” Statehouse News Bureau, June 10).
 
Republicans had wanted to crack down on fraud in Medicaid and passed changes to the program by rolling them into another measure targeting fraud in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or food stamps. Rep. Brian Stewart (R-Ashville) said increased penalties for fraud, electronic video verification, inspections and more from House Bill 795 were added into Senate Bill 315, which requires electronic chips in food stamp cards. 
 
A ban on Medicaid payments to family caregivers brought outrage among disabled Ohioans and their advocates, some of whom testified at a House Medicaid Committee hearing last week. The committee announced on Monday that provision would be removed from the bill.
 
As policymakers were considering Medicaid reforms, HPIO released a data graphic comparing Ohio Medicaid home-care costs to institutional care and released a data snapshot on Medicaid and home- and community-based services in Ohio, which was an area of focus during legislative discussions.