State Representative Jim Buchy
Medicaid Reform Now More Important than Ever

Just a few weeks back the headlines across the state generally read: “Governor takes Medicaid Expansion to the Controlling Board.” A board many Ohioans have probably not heard of, the Controlling Board approves appropriations for state agencies based on legislative intent of the state budget. This time the board was asked to authorize the release of federal dollars to cover the costs of the expanding Medicaid program. I did not agree with this approach, but it is water under the bridge, and it is now more pressing than ever that we reform the broken Medicaid system to reduce the waste of our tax dollars.

Over the past several months I have communicated on the developments of Medicaid reform or expansion on nearly a monthly basis. Recently, State Rep. Barbara Sears introduced House Bill 317, the most comprehensive piece of reform legislation to date. The bill includes a Medicaid Oversight Committee, which has become a common discussion of most feasible reform bills. The oversight committee would replace an existing committee, assuming those duties and adding new ones. The basic tenure of this body would be to serve as a legislative watchdog of the state’s Medicaid Department. The Director of Medicaid would report to the committee about reforms that reduce costs of the program. The goal of Medicaid should be to get the able-bodied back to work.

Reforming Medicaid will be one of the top priorities in Columbus. We will be looking at ways to identify and root out fraud in the program and also ways to reduce long-term dependency on the program. In tandem with this discussion will be addressing the growing drug problem in our local communities. In the last General Assembly we passed legislation that led to the closure of pill mills across the state. Unfortunately, this has not stopped the drug problem entirely. We must find a way to get lasting help for the addicted and identify the drug peddlers and get them off the street. Addressing the drug problem will help reduce costs and dependency on Ohio’s Medicaid program.

As more of your tax dollars are streamed to Medicaid, elected officials must find new ways to reduce costs in the program, demand accountability and provide a sustainable future for the current broken system.

As we debate this issue many good ideas will surface and it is important that we give fair consideration to all. Your feedback on this issue is important to guide the legislative process. Please answer a question about this issue and others in the news this month by completing an online survey at tinyurl.com/buchynov