IN THE STATES: Ohio Eyes Coverage Expansion

We've posted twice today (here, here) about the need for state, versus federal, health reform, which reminded us that we need to catch you up on events in Ohio, the latest state to see how far it can go in fixing health care even in the absence of that federal solution.

A task force appointed by Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland, a Democrat, made its recommendations last week, according to Cliff Peale of the Cincinnati Enquirer. The expert panel urged that Ohoians be required to buy at least a basic benefit package, with subsidies for low-income people. Insurers would be required to cover anyone who applies. The state would seek to get more people into Medicaid, both by more outreach to those already eligible and by raising income eligibility levels. The Dayton Business Journal also reported that adult children would be able to remain dependents on family's group health insurance policies up to age 29, and the state would also create a reinsurance program to provide affordable coverage to uninsured small businesses, sole proprietors, workers and individuals.

The goal is to cover 500,000 Ohio residents, which is a bit less than half of the state's uninsured population, by 2011. A rough price tag is $1.5 to $2 billion annually. Strickland must now decide which portions should be presented to the legislature for action.