Medicaid Monitor
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Ohio Capital Journal

17 stories

Federal Policy·OH·2d ago

Census Bureau Delays Poverty Data Amid Medicaid, SNAP Cuts

The Census Bureau has indefinitely delayed its American Community Survey, a key dataset tracking state and local poverty, income, insurance and housing trends, just as deep federal safety-net cuts take hold. The bureau attributes the delay to a new Commerce Department order banning "noise infusion," a privacy-protection technique, though some scientists quoted in Science magazine suspect political motives. Researchers say the gap leaves them unable to measure the state-level impact of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act's roughly $1 trillion in Medicaid cuts and $187 billion in SNAP cuts, plus the expiration of ACA subsidies that caused Ohio's Medicaid-adjacent marketplace enrollment to drop 32.4%, the largest decline of any state. No new release date has been set.

State Policy·OH·6d ago

Ohio Infant Mortality Rate Falls to 6.6 per 1,000 Births, Black Infants Still Die at 2.5 Times White Rate

Ohio's infant mortality rate dropped to 6.6 deaths per 1,000 live births, the lowest in a decade, but remains above the national average of 5.36. Black infants die at a rate of 12.6 per 1,000 births — more than 2.5 times the white infant rate of 5.1 — and providers report systemic disrespect and racism in care delivery. The state's latest biennial budget allocated $18 million annually for infant vitality programs, down from the House's proposed $20 million, and $5 million for maternal health programs, down from the governor's $7.5 million request. Advocates cite recent federal Medicaid funding cuts — estimated to cost Ohio $33 million over 10 years — as contributing to rural maternity ward closures and reduced access for Medicaid-eligible pregnant individuals.

Industry·24d ago

Corporate Lobby Groups Backed Safety-Net Cuts Affecting Low-Wage Employees

Industry groups representing major low-wage employers praised tax cuts in the 2025 One Big Beautiful Bill Act while remaining largely silent on $1 trillion in Medicaid cuts and $186 billion in SNAP reductions over a decade, according to the Institute for Policy Studies' Executive Excess 2026 report. The report found that corporations including Walmart (16,000 employees on Medicaid in six states) and Kroger (2,800 on Medicaid) did not publicly oppose cuts to programs their own workforces depend on. The National Retail Federation was the only major industry group to mention the safety-net cuts, praising them for reducing fraud.

Federal Policy·OH·34d ago

Ohio Marketplace Premiums to Rise 14.7% After Third of Enrollees Drop Coverage

Eleven insurers in Ohio's ACA marketplace are proposing an average 14.7% premium increase for 2027 after 161,000 of 497,000 enrollees dropped coverage following the 2026 expiration of enhanced marketplace subsidies. The remaining pool is expected to be sicker and more expensive to cover. Congressional Republicans allowed the pandemic-era subsidies to expire as part of the 2026 Big Beautiful Bill, which also cut over $1 trillion from Medicaid over 10 years. CBO estimates 16 million more Americans will lack health insurance by 2034 due to combined subsidy expiration and Medicaid cuts taking effect January 1, 2027.

State Policy·OH·34d ago

Ohio ACA Enrollment Drops 32% After Federal Subsidies Expire

Ohio has experienced the nation's steepest decline in Affordable Care Act marketplace enrollment since enhanced federal subsidies expired in January 2026, with enrollment falling more than 32%. Rural Ohioans are disproportionately affected by the loss of premium assistance. The decline comes as the Trump administration proposes Medicaid spending cuts of $900 billion over 10 years, which could push millions off the program. Ohio Attorney General and federal officials have increased public messaging around Medicaid fraud cases, which policy analysts characterize as an effort to build support for program cuts.

State Policy·OH·34d ago

Ohio Governor Issues Executive Order Creating State Certification for Recovery Housing Operators

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine signed an executive order authorizing the Ohio Department of Behavioral Health to establish a statewide certification program for recovery housing operators. The order responds to a nearly 400% increase in recovery houses since 2022, from 356 to over 1,700, amid reports of unsafe conditions and illegal operations, particularly in southern Ohio communities affected by the opioid epidemic. The state has taken legal action against uncertified homes operating illegally, but officials say stronger oversight is needed. The new certification program will allow the state to monitor compliance more consistently and respond more quickly to protect individuals in recovery.

State Policy·OH·38d ago

Ohio Democrats Say Federal Bill Cut SNAP Benefits for 100,000 Residents Including 50,000 Children

Democratic Ohio lawmakers are criticizing the Republican "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" for cutting SNAP benefits to more than 100,000 Ohioans, including over 50,000 children, since President Trump signed the legislation. The lawmakers say the federal law has increased costs for everyday life and reduced access to healthcare and food security. The timing of the cuts and their broader Medicaid implications remain unclear from the article. The story matters for state Medicaid agencies and health plans because SNAP and Medicaid eligibility are often linked, and large-scale federal benefit cuts typically affect overlapping populations that rely on both programs.

Federal Policy·OH·44d ago

Ohio Constituents Protest Congressional Cuts to SNAP, Medicaid, and Education

Constituents of Ohio U.S. Rep. Mike Carey protested outside his Columbus office in August 2026 against recent congressional cuts to SNAP, Medicaid, and education programs. The event was part of the Center for Popular Democracy's national "Care Over Cruelty" Month of Action during the congressional recess. The protests reflect public opposition to federal spending reductions affecting safety net programs. For state Medicaid agencies and managed care organizations, ongoing federal budget cuts could affect program funding, eligibility levels, and administrative resources.

State Policy·OH·59d ago

Ohio Home Care Workers Face Uncertainty as 100,000 Medicaid Recipients Await Policy Decision

Over 100,000 Ohio Medicaid beneficiaries receiving home and community-based services face uncertainty about the continuity of their care, according to a report from Dayton. The story profiles Dorothy Valentine, a longtime nursing home worker who understands both institutional and home-based care settings, highlighting growing concerns among home care workers and recipients about potential policy or funding changes. The article does not specify what precipitated the concerns or when any changes would take effect. The situation affects Ohio's LTSS delivery system and the workforce supporting community-based alternatives to institutional care.

Federal Policy·72d ago

Poll Shows Most Americans Reject Claims of Widespread Medicaid Beneficiary Fraud

A new poll finds that most Americans do not believe Medicaid beneficiaries are the primary source of program fraud, contradicting recent allegations from some Republican leaders. Respondents view current fraud enforcement rhetoric as politically motivated rather than substantive. The poll results come amid ongoing congressional and administrative debates over program integrity measures, oversight authority, and enforcement resource allocation. Public perception could influence state Medicaid agency priorities and federal oversight emphasis as policymakers weigh beneficiary-focused versus provider-focused fraud detection strategies.

State Policy·OH·75d ago

Ohio Legislature Debates Bill to End Medicaid Managed Care for 3 Million Enrollees

Ohio lawmakers are considering Senate Bill 386 and a House companion bill, the Medicaid Savings Act, which would dismantle the state's Medicaid managed care system currently serving approximately three million enrollees. The bipartisan legislation would shift Ohio away from its managed care delivery model. The bill is under active debate in Statehouse committee rooms. If enacted, this would represent one of the largest managed care program terminations in recent state Medicaid history, affecting every MCO operating in Ohio.

State Policy·OH·80d ago

Ohio AG Candidate Suggests Cuts to State Medicaid Program

Ohio Auditor Keith Faber, a Republican candidate for attorney general, made statements in recent media appearances suggesting support for ending portions of Ohio's Medicaid program. His campaign declined to clarify which aspects of Medicaid he would target, stating only that he supports lawful use of Medicaid dollars. The comments come as Ohio operates Medicaid managed care plans covering behavioral health, long-term care, and traditional acute care services. No specific timeline or legislative proposal has been announced.

Legal·OH·86d ago

Federal and Ohio Officials Highlight Individual Medicaid Fraud Cases While Corporate Enforcement Lags

In early June 2026, Trump administration officials traveled to Ohio to publicize investigations into individuals suspected of Medicaid fraud totaling tens of millions of dollars. The enforcement focus excluded corporate contractors holding large state Medicaid contracts, despite recent lawsuits against several companies and two settlements. The disparity raises questions about enforcement priorities when corporate entities with substantial Medicaid business face fraud allegations but receive less public attention than individual providers. The timing and scope of corporate enforcement actions remain unclear.

State Policy·OH·90d ago

Ohio Economists Split on Medicaid Fraud Prevention Bill Awaiting Governor Signature

Ohio's Senate Bill 315, passed by the General Assembly in June 2026, awaits Governor DeWine's signature. The legislation requires the Ohio Department of Medicaid to suspend payments under certain fraud-prevention circumstances and includes other anti-fraud measures. A panel of economists is divided on whether these provisions will effectively reduce Medicaid fraud. The bill's implementation timeline depends on the governor's action.

Federal Policy·OH·90d ago

Ohio University Receives $10M from CMS Rural Health Transformation Fund

Ohio University will receive $10 million as the first award from CMS's Rural Health Transformation Program, designed to offset congressional Medicaid cuts. The Athens-based institution was selected from Ohio's allocation under the federal initiative. The program represents CMS's response to budget reductions affecting rural health infrastructure. Timing and specific use requirements for the funds were not detailed in the announcement.

State Policy·OH·104d ago

Ohio projects 51,000 job losses, $5.3B economic impact from Medicaid cuts by 2029

A new analysis projects Ohio will lose 51,000 jobs and $5.3 billion in economic activity by 2029 due to Medicaid and food assistance cuts enacted in 2025 federal spending legislation, combined with the expiration of Affordable Care Act subsidies. The projections reflect the full phase-in of these policy changes over the next several years. The analysis highlights state-level economic consequences of federal budget decisions affecting health coverage programs.

State Policy·OH·115d ago

Ohio Withdraws Proposal to Ban Family Caregivers Under Medicaid

Ohio lawmakers removed language from House Bill 795 that would have prohibited family members living with Medicaid recipients from serving as certified caregivers. The provision was withdrawn Monday following significant public opposition. The proposal targeted Ohio's Medicaid home healthcare program, which allows beneficiaries to hire family members as paid caregivers. The reversal preserves existing caregiver arrangements for Medicaid managed care plans operating in Ohio's home and community-based services programs.

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