Quite frankly, I was sickened by the debate over health care reform in Washington D.C. Not only do I think the final bill rammed through Congress is a bad deal for the state of Ohio, but the arrogance demonstrated by Congressional Democrats and the President that they know better than the vast majority of citizens who opposed their approach was a difficult pill to swallow in a country that prides itself on being a representative democracy. Though the bill has been signed into law, the debate is far from over. I thought I would take some time to update you on the status of the bill from a state perspective.
The piecemeal, backroom approach employed by Congress to get the bill across the finish line, makes it so that, even now, it is difficult to estimate the true cost to Ohio taxpayers to comply with increased Medicaid enrollment the bill demands. However, a publication by the National Governors Association and the National Conference of State Legislatures has estimated that Ohio could be on the hook for an additional $349 million for calendar years 2017 through 2019. This will be a significant challenge for a state that is already facing an approximately $8 billion dollar biennial shortfall in the next budget period.
Additionally, while many of us in the Ohio General Assembly are battling red tape and excessive regulations, increased Bureau of Workers’ Compensation rates and to keep taxes low, all in a continued effort to make Ohio a more attractive place to do businesses and create jobs, the federal health care mandates on small businesses will work in the opposite direction. Many businesses are already struggling to keep their doors open and to provide health care coverage for their employees. This bill will make it even more costly and exceedingly more difficult.
The other problem is that the bill does not even constitute real “reform.” I do believe that we need to work together in bipartisan fashion to expand access to quality, affordable health care, but to do that the debate must center around how to drive down the cost of a system that prices too many people out. This bill doesn’t drive down costs, it is, plain and simple, another major expansion of government.
For these reasons and many others Senate Bill 244 was introduced in the Ohio Senate last month. SB 244 would affirm that regardless of what the federal government has prescribed, it is the policy of the state that no Ohioan shall be required to obtain or maintain an individual health insurance policy, be it a private, employer-sponsored or federal plan. It would also ensure that Ohioans may not be assessed a fee or fine as a result of exercising this choice. The bill would also require Ohio’s Attorney General to do as 14 other state attorneys general have done and challenge the constitutionality of the federal mandate on behalf of the people of Ohio.
Unfortunately, the federal health care bill is just further evidence of the erosion of states rights in this country. I have also co-sponsored a state sovereignty resolution that would urge the federal government to respect the 10th Amendment to the United States Constitution and adhere only to the rights and responsibilities delegate by the states to the federal government, just as our forefathers intended. Senate Concurrent Resolution 13 passed the Senate in September and is still pending in the Ohio House of Representatives.
It is my hope that we can move both bills before the end of the year and that the other states that are considering similar measures will also make progress on their legislation. This will send a strong message to the federal government that we should start over and ensure that the states and individual citizens have more of the say on the future of our health care system.
Older Americans Month
Every year since 1963, our country has recognized May as Older Americans Month. This celebration is meant to recognize the contributions and accomplishments that our older citizens have made to our great nation. Ohio’s theme for this month’s observation is Age Strong! Live Strong!, and there are a number of activities taking place around the state to honor our elders, including a contest that invites citizens to share what inspires and strengthens them. Please visit the Ohio Department of Aging website at http://aging.ohio.gov/news/olderamericansmonth/ to learn about all the events taking place.
