WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Marcia L. Fudge (OH-11), has sent a letter to Ohio Governor John Kasich urging him to implement the Medicaid expansion provision included in the Affordable Care Act (ACA). On June 28, 2012 the U.S. Supreme Court ruled on the constitutionality of provisions within ACA.  Among the provisions considered was the expansion of Medicaid to individuals below 133 percent of the federal poverty level.  States will now have the option to not expand Medicaid enrollment without facing the consequence of losing all Medicaid funding.

Congresswoman Fudge is urging the Governor to protect and expand Medicaid access in the state of Ohio by including the Medicaid expansion provision in Ohio’s plan to implement the Affordable Care Act.  Without expanding Medicaid, there will be a large group of Ohioans who will be left without a coverage option. These groups of Ohioans are ineligible for the current Medicaid program and will also be deemed ineligible to receive subsides to purchase insurance through the state exchange.

“Not only is this a matter of providing needed health services for the people of Ohio, it is also a matter of economic sustainability. Uncompensated care is a drain on our hospitals, health providers, and health care system as a whole.  By expanding Medicaid, we will greatly reduce the costly problem of uninsured patients depending on emergency rooms instead of a primary care physician.  Moreover, the cost to the state will be minimal—for the first three years, the federal government will cover 100 percent of the cost of the expansion,” said Representative Fudge.

Representative Fudge believes that expanding Medicaid according to the provisions in the Affordable Care Act is the right thing to do for Ohio.  She encourages the Governor to choose this option, and looks forward to working with him to build a healthier future for all Ohioans.

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