Kasich Vetoes Ohio Medicaid Expansion Freeze, Bucking State Republican Lawmakers

The Associated Press:
Kasich Signs Ohio State Budget, Vetoes Medicaid Freeze

Gov. John Kasich once again stood against fellow Republicans in the Ohio Legislature on Friday to support Medicaid expansion, which now provides health insurance to 700,000 low-income Ohioans. The 2016 presidential contender vetoed a proposed freeze of the expansion and 46 other items from Ohio’s state budget before signing it just ahead of a midnight deadline Friday. (Carr-Smyth, 7/1)

Cincinnati Enquirer:
John Kasich Just Thwarted Ohio GOP’s Medicaid Freeze. What’s Next?

For some GOP lawmakers, overturning Kasich’s veto on Medicaid would culminate a crusade that started in 2013 when Kasich first went around legislators to expand Medicaid to more than 700,000 Ohioans. For others, it would be a chance to say “no” to President Barack Obama’s Affordable Care Act – a mandate lawmakers believe they received from the same voters who sent President Donald Trump to the White House. (Balmert, 7/1)

Cleveland Plain Dealer:
Ohio Legislature Could Override Medicaid Freeze, Other Budget Vetoes By Gov. John Kasich

Gov. John Kasich used his veto pen late Friday night to gut his fellow Republicans’ major Medicaid policy changes in the state budget bill, but the budget battle might roll into the following week… But there’s some question as to whether they have the votes to do so, especially on the Medicaid expansion freeze. (Borchardt, 7/2)

Cleveland Plain Dealer:
Ending Medicaid Expansion Could Send Ohioans Off The Benefits Cliff: State Expert Says

The Senate’s Better Care Reconciliation Act, or BCRA, healthcare reform bill rolls back the Medicaid expansion starting in 2021 by gradually reducing funding over three years. At the state level, the budget freezes Medicaid expansion enrollment starting July 1, 2018. (Christ, 6/30)