Ohio governor John Kasich managed to get the Medicaid expansion policy passed in Ohio yesterday by doing an end run around the Republican-dominated state legislature that had opposed the move because they oppose anything to do with the Affordable Care Act even if it benefits those who are too poor to benefit from the new health care exchange and even if the federal government fully funds it for the first three years and at 90% thereafter.
Kasich used a little-known body called the State Controlling Board that consists of six members of the legislature (four Republicans and two Democrats) and the chair appointed directly by Kasich. The vote was 5-2 in favor with two Republican legislators voting with the chair and the two Democrats.
There will undoubtedly be lawsuits challenging the legality of using this body to bypass the full legislature on a major issue.
Reminds me of our Governor here in Michigan getting around the bought-legislature to get the new bridge to Canada project started. I applauded him for it, and I applaud your Governor for his actions as well.
“Kasich is up for reelection next year, and although he’s argued against Obamacare as a whole, he’s sought to distinguish expansion from the rest of the law, emphasizing that Medicaid has long predated the new health care law.”
The great irony being that Republicans once opposed Medicaid just as vigorously as they now oppose the ACA.
I’ve heard a Republican admit they want to get Obamacare scuttled before it goes into effect because the Tea Party is afraid it’ll become as popular as Medicare.
I read tonight that the lawsuit has already been filed by Republicans in Ohio to stop the Medicaid expansion. You know, if a rich country like ours can’t afford medical care for all its citizens, something is very wrong with our priorities. I am no longer a Christian, but almost all these Republicans profess to be Christians, yet they don’t act like it.