If implemented as enacted, Obamacare will impose significant new Medicaid costs on states and constitute a major federal usurpation of long-standing state authority in regulating private insurance. This will be expensive and disruptive for those Americans who rely on individual or employer-based insurance for their health insurance. While some of the most expensive and disruptive provisions of the massive legislation do not take effect until 2014, other provisions are already going into effect.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Office of the Actuary projects that Ohio’s Medicaid enrollment in 2014 will be nearly 25% higher as a result of the required coverage expansion than it otherwise would be absent those provisions. Further, it is estimated that Ohio’s initial estimates for Medicaid expansion will increase state tax obligations by $988.2 million for federal fiscal years 2014 through 2020. This is an astronomical amount to be added on to the state when it we are already dealing with an $8 billion hole in the budget.
In a time when budget constraints are already very severe for not only Ohio, but for all states, as we are in the midst of our worst fiscal situation in decades, it is ludicrous to ask states to comply to this federal mandate. We are going to do whatever we can to protect our constituents who depend on public health care programs from the adverse effects of Obamacare. Ohio is currently in the midst of an $8 billion budget shortfall and coming up with the funds to cover that gap is going to be a very difficult, but manageable, task. Adding on more than $988 million to the state budget, however, is not, going to make covering this gap any easier.
In recent months, there has been a number of pieces of legislation introduced attempting to block certain aspects of the health care bill or assert state sovereignty. SCR 13, which I co-sponsored, would claim sovereignty over certain powers pursuant to the Tenth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America, to notify Congress to limit and end certain mandates, and to insist that federal legislation contravening the Tenth Amendment be prohibited or repealed.
SB 244 was introduced and prohibits requiring an individual to obtain or maintain a policy of health insurance. SJR 2 and SJR 7 both were introduced to prevent the General Assembly from enacting certain laws regarding health care and to prohibit any rule or law from compelling a person, employer, or heath care provider to participate in a health care system.
As a State Legislator, I have very little power in influencing Congress’ decisions. We can continue to try and pass legislation in the General Assembly that would bar citizens of Ohio from having to take part in Obamacare, but with Democratic House, it is unlikely that any such legislation would pass.
