Kasich Backs Medicaid Expansion
Posted at 3:45 p.m. on Feb. 4
The Hill reports that Ohio Gov. John Kasich (R) “supports expanding Medicaid under President Obama’s healthcare law,” making him the fifth Republican governor to come out in favor of the controversial provision.
“Kasich proposed Monday to extend coverage to adults living at or below 138 percent of the federal poverty line, or nearly 600,000 Ohioans. The federal government will cover 100 percent of the cost for the first three years and slowly decrease its contribution over time.”
“Ohio’s Medicaid program currently covers people at 90 percent of the poverty level.”
Politico: “Kasich says the decision will free up money to spend on mental health and other services — since the feds will pay for most of the expansion costs — and will keep everyone else’s health insurance premiums down because there won’t be so many uninsured people going to emergency rooms for their medical care.”
