Posted by Behavioral Health Billing Solutions, LLC

The Columbus Dispatch posted an article detailing the actions taken by the Ohio House of Representatives yesterday stating Kasich claims legislature has left Medicaid $1.4 billion short.

Article states overrides still need Senate support but that the chamber has cancelled it’s session for next week but may return over the summer. According to the Senate calendar, there are no sessions scheduled until July 18th/19th (if needed). I plan to tune in to the Ohio Senate page on July 12th to verify since that was the previously scheduled date.

See veto overrides listed below. 

The Ohio House on Thursday voted to override 11 of Gov. John Kasich’s budget vetoes. The following provisions will become law if the Senate also agrees to override:

‒ The state Controlling Board, a legislative spending oversight panel, is not permitted to approve unexpected revenue influxes of more than 0.5 percent of general revenue fund, or about $165 million. Vote: 66-31.

‒ The Department of Medicaid is prohibited from covering any new, optional groups unless expressly permitted by state law. Vote: 66-31.

‒ The Department of Medicaid must get approval from the Joint Medicaid Oversight Committee, a legislative panel, for an increase in payment rates. Vote: 66-31.

‒ The state must set Medicaid rates for certain neonatal and newborn services at 75 percent of Medicare rates. Also, rates for other services must be reduced to avoid an overall increase in Medicaid spending. Vote: 97-0.

‒ A funding formula change provides another $237 million for nursing homes. Supporters say this eliminates a potential cut. Vote: 96-1 (Duffey).

‒ Nursing homes could not be added to Medicaid managed care unless approved by the General Assembly. A study committee will look into the merits of moving them into managed care. Vote: 95-2 (Duffey).

‒ The moving of behavior health services into managed care would be delayed until July 1, 2018. Kasich wanted to move them sooner to help coordinate services with severe mental and physical needs. Vote: 95-2.

‒ The franchise fee on health insurance companies would be increased for six years to provide counties and local transit authorities with $207 million per year. This will make up for the more than $200 million those public entities stand to lose because the state can no longer charge a sales tax on Medicaid managed care. Vote: 87-10 (Duffey).

‒ The administration must get Controlling Board approval to cover the state share of Medicaid expansion. Vote: 66-31.

‒ The administration must seek federal approval to begin charging non-disabled adults a maximum $8 a month to pay into health-savings accounts. Those accounts could be used to pay new Medicaid co-pays. Vote: 66-31.