CONTACT: J.D. Bruewer 419-996-2692 JDBruewer@health-partners.org
LIMA, OH (July 01, 2013) – Last night, Governor John Kasich signed the State Fiscal Year 2014-2015 Biennial Budget into law. It takes effect today, the first day of the new fiscal year. The final version of the budget is 3,747 pages and totals $62 billion.
The Governor vetoed 22 items, including the language inserted by the Ohio House of Representatives prohibiting the extension of Medicaid as well as additional funding for nursing facilities for meeting quality incentives.
Deleting the Medicaid language provides the Governor’s administration with maximum flexibility as negotiations continue with our legislative leaders. The final budget did not include the Governor’s proposal to expand Medicaid to cover another 275,000 low-income Ohioans and bring $13 billion in federal funding to Ohio over the next seven years. Legislative talks on how to expand and reform Medicaid are promised to continue through the summer and could be acted upon in September. While the Governor has the authority to authorize expansion, he needs legislative approval to pay for it.
“We remain committed to working with the Governor’s Office through the Office of Health Transformation and Ohio Medicaid, and the Ohio General Assembly to improve access and coverage to care for all Ohioans,” St. Rita’s CEO Bob Baxter said.
The Ohio General Assembly is now officially on summer recess with plans to reconvene in September. Leaders of both Chambers have indicated commitments to continuing Medicaid expansion and reform negotiations during summer recess, with committees meeting soon after the July 4th holiday weekend. There are currently three bills being considered – one bill that includes Medicaid expansion and reform efforts and the other two bills (companion bills in both the House and the Senate) solely focused on Medicaid reform, not including expansion.
About St. Rita’s
St. Rita’s Medical Center, a 425-bed acute care not- for-profit facility, delivers quality health care to more people in West Central Ohio than any other hospital in a 12 county region. St. Rita’s is part of Catholic Health Partners. Founded by the Sisters of Mercy in 1918, St. Rita’s serves in ways that reflect our Core Values of Compassion, Excellence, Human Dignity, Justice, Sacredness of Life and Service.