Medicaid Keeps Ohio Strong
News Releases
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 16, 2025
MEDIA CONTACT:
Lori Kurtzman
614-404-6706
Ohio Medicaid Matters Warns Congress About Disastrous Results of Medicaid Cuts
COLUMBUS, OH — Ohio Medicaid Matters, a coalition of more than 80 of the state’s leading health advocacy groups, hospital systems and human service organizations, is calling on Congress to reject harmful Medicaid cuts that threaten the foundation of Ohio’s economy.
In a letter to Ohio’s congressional delegation, the coalition emphasized that Medicaid is more than a budget line item — it is a lifeline for over 3 million Ohioans, including more than 1.2 million children, seniors, individuals with disabilities and people facing mental health or substance use challenges.
Medicaid “is Ohio’s single largest health insurer, anchoring care delivery in all 88 of our counties and serving as a stabilizing force for our hospitals and providers — especially those in rural and underserved communities,” the coalition wrote in its message to Ohio lawmakers.
The coalition warned that several proposed federal policy changes — including block grants, per capita caps, work requirements and changes to Medicaid’s federal funding formula — would destabilize the program and jeopardize coverage for hundreds of thousands of residents. Ohio’s House Bill 96, for example, would automatically end Medicaid expansion if the federal match rate is reduced, threatening coverage for 770,000 Ohioans, including 362,000 in rural communities.
“Ohio’s Medicaid program is working,” the letter stated. “Through statewide collaboration, we’ve made tangible progress in care coordination, behavioral health integration and cost containment. … Rolling back that support would erase a decade of hard-won progress and inflict long-term harm on families, healthcare providers and Ohio’s economy.”
The coalition emphasized that Medicaid not only provides critical health care but also strengthens the state’s workforce and economy. It helps reduce uncompensated care, supports local health care providers, and promotes healthier communities.
Ohio Medicaid Matters is urging Ohio’s congressional leaders to reject restructuring proposals and instead work collaboratively to protect and improve the program.
“Let us work together to build on what is working, safeguard what is essential and protect those who rely on this program for their health, their livelihoods and their futures,” the coalition concluded.
Learn more at ohiomedicaidmatters.org.
LETTER TO OHIO CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION
On behalf of Ohio Medicaid Matters, a coalition of the state’s leading human services agencies, health advocacy associations and hospital systems, we’re writing to reaffirm the critical role Medicaid plays in the lives of millions of Ohioans — and to emphasize the urgent need to preserve and protect this foundational program.
Medicaid is far more than a budget line item. It is a cornerstone of Ohio’s health and economic security. Today, Medicaid covers some 3 million Ohioans, including over 1.2 million children, hundreds of thousands of seniors and individuals with disabilities, and those struggling with mental health conditions and substance use disorders. It is Ohio’s single largest health insurer, anchoring care delivery in all 88 of our counties and serving as a stabilizing force for our hospitals and providers — especially those in rural and underserved communities.
As the 119th Congress considers policy changes through budget reconciliation, we urge you to oppose proposals that would upend Ohio’s Medicaid structure through block grants, per capita caps, work requirements or changes to the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP). These measures would directly undermine the federal-state partnership that has enabled Ohio to design high-performing, cost-effective Medicaid programs that address the diverse needs of our residents.
Recent state-level developments illustrate what’s at stake:
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Trigger language in House Bill 96 would automatically end Medicaid expansion in Ohio if the federal match rate were reduced, placing health coverage in immediate jeopardy for 770,000 Ohioans, including 362,000 in rural counties.
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Proposals for block grants and spending caps would decouple Medicaid funding from real-world needs, threatening cuts to eligibility, benefits and provider payments — especially during periods of economic strain, public health crises or rising costs.
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Work requirement waivers risk stripping coverage from individuals facing barriers such as transportation gaps, caregiving responsibilities or behavioral health conditions, harming rather than improving health or employment outcomes.
Ohio’s Medicaid program is working. Through statewide collaboration, we’ve made tangible progress in care coordination, behavioral health integration and cost containment. The 90/10 enhanced federal match for Medicaid expansion has allowed Ohio to make historic strides in reducing our uninsured rate and addressing challenges such as geographic health disparities. Rolling back that support would erase a decade of hard-won progress and inflict long-term harm on families, healthcare providers and Ohio’s economy.
Medicaid is a jobs program, an economic stabilizer and a lifeline for vulnerable Ohioans. It reduces uncompensated care, fuels local economies, supports community health care, and helps children grow, adults work, and seniors live with dignity.
We respectfully ask that you stand with the people of Ohio by defending Medicaid from harmful restructuring or cuts. Let us work together to build on what is working, safeguard what is essential, and protect those who rely on this program for their health, their livelihoods and their futures.
Thank you for your attention to this vital matter. We welcome the opportunity to speak further or provide additional resources at your convenience.
Sincerely,
Ohio Medicaid Matters-
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 3, 2025
MEDIA CONTACT:
Lori Kurtzman
614-404-6706
Medicaid Coalition Urges Ohio Legislators to Revise Budget Trigger Language
As currently written in the Ohio House sub bill, more than 770,000 Ohioans could lose Medicaid benefits immediately.
The Ohio Medicaid Matters coalition applauds the Ohio House’s proposed transition plan for those who might lose Medicaid benefits — but it urges legislators to rework language in the bill that could immediately strip coverage from 770,000 Ohioans.
The Ohio House sub bill, as released on April 1, outlines a “phased transition plan to assist individuals who are no longer Medicaid eligible by redirecting them to private insurance subsidies or charity care programs that provide medical assistance.” But it also includes “trigger” language that immediately discontinues medical assistance for all members of the Medicaid expansion group should federal funding dip below 90%.
“We are thankful that the Ohio House recognized the need for a transition plan,” said Teresa Lampl, LISW-S, CEO of The Ohio Council of Behavioral Health & Family Services Providers. “Ohio Medicaid Matters agrees that this is critical, and we appreciate the House’s understanding of the related complexities of disenrolling individuals from their health care coverage, including access to life-saving medications.”
The coalition’s concern relates to the immediate trigger language included in the proposed operating budget, which states that “if the federal medical assistance percentage for medical assistance provided to members of the expansion eligibility group (Group VIII) is set below ninety per cent, the department of Medicaid shall [emphasis added] immediately discontinue all medical assistance for members of the group.”
An immediate disenrollment of the Group VIII population — Ohioans ages 19 through 64 with incomes at or below 138% of the federal poverty level who aren’t eligible for other categories of Medicaid — based on any change in the federal match, no matter how large or small, would cause great harm to individuals and Ohio’s economy.
For example, if the federal match decreases and triggers the Ohio plan:
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A food service worker making less than $22,000 a year would immediately lose his Medicaid benefits. So would a healthcare worker supporting a family of four on less than $44,400. A single mother who works full-time as a home health aide and makes less than $29,200 would also lose medical assistance.
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The 630,000 Medicaid expansion enrollees who had received treatment for mental illness or substance use disorder would no longer have coverage.
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More Ohioans would go without care: After Medicaid expansion, the percentage of Ohioans who went without care due to cost decreased by 31% from 2013 to 2023. That number would certainly begin trending upward again.
“The transition plan is a good first step,” said Julie DiRossi-King, CEO and president of the Ohio Association of Community Health Centers. “But it does not work with the immediate and mandatory trigger language the Ohio House included in the sub bill. A sudden drop would not provide the state adequate time to redirect those who’ve lost coverage.”
Ohio Medicaid Matters asks legislators to reconsider this language and replace “shall” with “may.”
This change would allow the governor and legislature to retain control over the best strategy to minimize the impact of any cut in the federal matching rate and best protect Ohioans. The coalition supports giving the legislature time for a thoughtful analysis of available options to offer the greatest number of Ohioans access to health care, while also allowing for a path for those that might have to lose coverage due to budgetary restraints.
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About Ohio Medicaid Matters
Formed in April 2025, Ohio Medicaid Matters is a coalition of some of the state’s largest human services agencies, health advocacy associations and hospital systems working to combat the threat posed to Ohio’s economy, workforceand families by possible massive cuts to Ohio Medicaid.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 1, 2025
MEDIA CONTACT:
Lori Kurtzman
614-404-6706
Newly Formed Coalition Seeks to Preserve Medicaid Coverage for Ohioans
Ohio Medicaid Matters says cuts would harm Ohio families and threaten the state’s economy.
A new coalition of some of the state’s largest human services agencies, health advocacy associations and hospital systems is working to combat the threat posed to Ohio’s economy and workforce by possible massive cuts to Ohio Medicaid.
The Ohio Medicaid Matters coalition, which includes more than 35 organizations, is urging the Ohio General Assembly and the DeWine administration to maintain flexibility and authority over Ohio Medicaid benefits as the federal government weighs cuts to the program. Acknowledging Medicaid as a critical driving force in fostering thriving communities, the coalition supports preserving coverage for as many Ohioans as possible.
“Medicaid is a foundation for health and economic stability,” said Teresa Lampl, LISW-S, CEO of The Ohio Council of Behavioral Health & Family Services Providers. “Access to health care empowers Ohioans to work, contribute and fuel economic growth.”
“By cutting coverage,” said Julie DiRossi-King, CEO and president of the Ohio Association of Community Health Centers, “we risk harming our communities and losing valuable workforce — which will cost us more in the end.”
Over the coming weeks, the coalition plans to launch campaigns aimed at detailing the potentially catastrophic ramifications of significantly cutting Medicaid coverage. Currently, over a quarter of Ohioans — about 3 million residents — rely on the program, including children, pregnant mothers, older adults, people with disabilities and low-income adults.
The Ohio Medicaid Matters coalition includes:
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Access Center for Independent Living, Inc.
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Advocates for Ohio’s Future
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Alvis, Inc.
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American Heart Association
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Breaking Silences Advisory Committee
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Caracole, Inc.
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Disability Rights Ohio
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Groundwork Ohio
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Health Impact Ohio
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Human Service Chamber of Franklin County
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Jewish Family Service of Cincinnati
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Mental Health & Addiction Advocacy Coalition
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NAMI Ohio
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Neighborhood Family Practice
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Ohio Alliance for Retired Americans Education Fund
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Ohio Association of Area Agencies on Aging
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Ohio Association of Community Health Centers
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Ohio Association of County Behavioral Health Authorities
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Ohio Association of Foodbanks
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Ohio Association of Health Plans
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Ohio Autism Insurance Coalition
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Ohio Children’s Alliance
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Ohio Hospital Association
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Ohio Olmstead Task Force
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Ohio Poverty Law Center
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Ohio Provider Resource Association
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Ohio School-Based Health Alliance
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Ohio State Medical Association
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Philanthropy Ohio
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Policy Matters Ohio
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RISE Together Innovation Institute
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The Center for Community Solutions
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The Coalition for Healthy Communities
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The Hunger Network in Ohio
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The MetroHealth System
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The Ohio Council of Behavioral Health & Family Services Providers
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UHCAN Ohio
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UC Health
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