Action Alert: Continue the Fight to Save Medicaid Expansion in Ohio
June 30, 2017 / Medicaid
The Ohio General Assembly this week passed Governor John Kasich's final two-year budget. This budget includes a provision that would freeze new enrollments in Medicaid expansion starting on July 1, 2018. Though Governor Kasich has vetoed the measure, House and Senate leadership have threatened to override his veto after the holiday weekend. We have to let them know that this action would hurt an estimated 500,000 Ohioans who rely on health care coverage through Medicaid expansion.
There are two ways to take action:
First, you can attend the Rally to Protect Medicaid on Wednesday, July 5 from noon to 1 p.m. outside the Ohio Statehouse in Columbus. Find more information on this flier and this Facebook event page.
Second, contact your state legislators and tell them your opinion on freezing Medicaid expansion. You can look up your state legislators in both the Ohio House and Ohio Senate here.
The U.S. Senate May Still Vote on Health Care
Thanks to your advocacy, the Senate delayed the vote on the Senate's health care bill this week, and Ohio Senator Rob Portman publicly said that he does not support the current bill. However, the fight isn't over yet. There is continuing to pressure Senators to vote for the bill and amendments are expected to be added to try to gain their votes. Today, President Trump has even suggested Congress should simply repeal the Affordable Care Act completely and work to replace it later. This would leave millions of Ohioans without adequate health care coverage. Additionally, proposed cuts to Medicaid would push people with disabilities into institutions and end the community-based care that so many value.
Your calls have made a difference. Call Senator Portman every day. Thank him for speaking out against the current bill this week and tell him to continue to vote NO.
Portman's regional and federal offices:
513-684-3265 Cincinnati
216-522-7095 Cleveland
614-469-6774 Columbus
419-259-3895 Toledo
202-224-3353 Washington, DC
For more information about the proposed Medicaid cuts, read Medicaid and Per Capita Caps from the Center for Public Representation.