Policy Matters op-ed: ‘Healthy Ohio’ plan is anything but
Posted May 12, 2016 in Op-Eds
The Ohio Legislature’s “Healthy Ohio” plan would hurt people who get their health care through Medicaid, and also endanger the financial stability of hospitals, Senior Project Director Wendy Patton said in a Cincinnati Enquirer op-ed.
The plan would impose premiums and caps on coverage for Ohioans who are struggling to make ends meet. If the state gets its way and the federal government approves the proposal, it would allow Ohio to lock people out of Medicaid if they miss payments.
“Despite the misleading name, it’s not healthy for Ohio. It will disrupt care, endanger the financial stability of our health system and lead to poor health outcomes,” Patton wrote.
“Over the past 30 years, repeated studies have found that even modest increases in cost prevent poor people from seeing a doctor for preventive care for chronic conditions like schizophrenia, hypertension and diabetes. People who barely make enough to cover rent, food and bus fare will skip a preventive appointment that they can’t afford, even if it’s necessary in the long run.”
Original Article: http://www.cincinnati.com/story/opinion/contributo...