August 2, 2013
Legislators have differing views of timing, possibility of
Medicaid expansion
Despite the legislature being on summer recess, there has been little break in terms of
speculation and rhetoric on the issue of Medicaid expansion. While majority members in the
House have indicated they hope to see action on the issue early this fall, Senate majority
members have been less committal to action on the issue.
House Finance Chairman Ron Amstutz (R-Wooster) commented to
reporters earlier this week that he hopes to see action on a package of
Medicaid-related legislation by October 1st of this year – the same day
enrollment in health insurance exchanges is set to begin under the
Affordable Care Act.
Amstutz indicated there may be a series of related bills, possibly up to 12
or 14 separate measures, taking up issues related to Medicaid
expansion, such as opiate addiction.
Rep. Ron Amstutz
“We have stuff far enough along in the legislative hopper, with both public and developmental
work behind the scenes, so that we are ready to have serious-stage conversations,” he said.
Meanwhile, Senate majority members have been much less committal. Earlier this week,
Senate President Keith Faber (R-Celina) commented “We anticipate having a discussion this
fall, depending on where we’re at. Whether we’re ready to act on it or not is a different
question.”
The Senate is set to begin informal hearings on Medicaid expansion later
this month within the Senate Finance Medicaid Subcommittee. The
Committee Chair, Dave Burke (R-Marysville), has indicated that he plans to
convene the Subcommittee August 13th to hear from the Health Policy
Institute of Ohio, who has conducted extensive research on the possible
impacts of Medicaid expansion in Ohio, and presented to the CCAO Board
of Directors in January on the same topic.
Senator Burke also mentioned that while there has been extensive review
Sen. Dave Burke
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of the subject in the House, the Senate did not take up the issue as a part of their budget
deliberations, so Senate members have not yet had time to fully weigh the issue.
Also earlier this week, Senator Capri Cafaro (D-Hubbard) held a press
conference to announce her introduction of new Medicaid expansion
legislation. The bill, which she indicated includes input from recent bipartisan
discussion, would mirror Governor Kasich’s proposal in several ways, such as
expanding Medicaid eligibility for individuals up to 138% of the federal poverty
level, and including a “circuit breaker” that is designed to protect Ohio
financially should the federal government pull back on promised enhanced
funding for the expansion population.
The measure also calls for increased legislative oversight through the creation
Sen. Capri Cafaro
of the Joint Medicaid Oversight Committee, and for a streamlining of
workforce development programs with the Medicaid program – proposals
similar to those called for fin bi-partisan “Medicaid reform” legislation introduced by Chairman
Amstutz and Rep. Vernon Sykes (D-Akron) earlier this year, which stopped short of expansion.
For additional information on the issue of Medicaid expansion, please contact CCAO policy
analyst Laura Abu-Absi at [email protected].
House announces three summer committees to study policy
reform
On Tuesday, Speaker Bill Batchelder announced three special study committees to hold
summer hearings around the state on policy reform.
The three new House committees and their respective chairs are as follows:

Higher Education Reform: Rep. Cliff Rosenberger (R-Clarksville);

Prescription Drug Addiction and Healthcare Reform: Rep. Bob Sprague (R-Findlay); and

Tax Reform: Rep. Gary Scherer (R- Circleville).
The panels are tasked with holding hearings across the state in August and September to
gather information to help lawmakers develop a final report and potential legislative
recommendations.
Hearing dates and locations are to be announced in the near future.
Statehouse Etcetera

DPS Director to step down; Born to take helm This week, Ohio Department of Public
Safety Director (ODPS) Tom Charles announced his retirement. Charles retirement
comes just short of a five decade career in public service as the one time trooper moved
up the ranks of the Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP) before a stint as the State
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Inspector General prior being named Director at ODPS. Colonel John Born, OSHP
Superintendent, was sworn in as Charles’ successor. Meanwhile, Lt. Colonel Paul Pride
was promoted to Colonel and named to the top spot at the Patrol.

Reminder- Dog multi-year registration fee resolution deadline is August 31st
Please remember that dog registration fee resolutions must be passed by the statutory
deadline of August 31st. It is very important to pass these resolutions given the new
multi-year options in HB 59. Please work with your county auditor and county dog
warden to draft these resolutions. For more information, please see County Advisory
Bulletin 2013-02 or contact CCAO Senior Policy Analyst Josh Hahn at [email protected].

CCAO Budget Overview Coming Soon The CCAO Policy Staff continues work on a
House Bill 59 Budget Overview document. This document will be available in the near
future. In addition, CCAO is finalizing details on Regional Budget Briefings for the fall.
While work continues, please don’t hesitate to refer to budget information found in the
July 3rd and June 28th editions of the Statehouse Report. And as always, please don’t
hesitate to contact any member of the Policy Staff with any questions you may have on
particular issues of interest within HB 59.
Legislation of Interest
HB 239
COUNTY TRANSIT SYSTEMS (Ruhl, M., Brenner, A.) To allow the operator of a county
transit system to enter into an agreement with a public or private entity for certain
services, materials, equipment, or supplies if determined necessary for the generation of
operating funds. Am. 306.06.
SB 166
MEDICAID REVISION (Cafaro, C.) To revise the law governing the Medicaid program, to
create the Joint Medicaid Oversight Committee, to abolish the Joint Legislative
Committee on Health Care Oversight and the Joint Legislative Committee on Medicaid
Technology and Reform, and to make appropriations. Am. 5162.01, 5162.20, 5165.15,
and 5167.01, to enact sections 103.41, 103.411, 103.412, 103.413, 5162.70, 5162.71,
5163.04, 5164.16, 5164.882, 5164.94, 5167.15, and 6301.15, and to repeal sections
101.39 and 101.391
Upcoming Legislative
Committee Calendar
Monday, August 12
House Policy & Legislative Oversight, (Chr. Dovilla, M., 466-4895), Ohio University Eastern
Campus, 45425 National Rd., St. Clairsville, 1:00 pm

The hearing will focus on the impacts of U.S. EPA regulations on Ohio's coal industry
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