Medicaid Cuts Cause Debate in Congress and Challenges for Ohio
Columbus, OH – This week, proposed Medicaid cuts sparked a fierce uproar in Congress during President Donald Trump’s speech, igniting intense debate and controversy. The situation escalated when U.S. Representative Al Green from Texas was kicked out of the chambers after shouting that the president didn’t have the right to cut Medicaid.
In Ohio, Medicaid is crucial. For every dollar Ohio spends on Medicaid, the state gets $0.65 in federal funding. Medicaid covers 3 million Ohioans, including pregnant women, children, seniors, and people with disabilities. It also pays for more than half of all births in the state.
Under the last administration, Medicaid was expanded to help people earning up to 138% of the federal poverty level. In Ohio, that means people making $21,000 or less per year. This expansion gave health coverage to 750,000 more Ohioans, with the federal government covering 90% of the cost.
With possible federal funding cuts on the horizon, Ohio is considering removing the “expansion group” from Medicaid in its state budget. Maureen Corcoran, Director of Ohio’s Medicaid Department, told lawmakers that even a small federal cut of 5% could cost the state $390 million each year.
Corcoran reassured lawmakers that, like in past financial crises, Ohio’s leaders would work together to find a solution to avoid financial hardship.
As the discussion around Medicaid cuts continues, Ohio residents are closely watching how these changes could affect their healthcare access.
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