Ohio Gov. John Kasich used his line-item veto power on Friday to stop the General Assembly’s attempt to freeze Medicaid expansion enrollment. In his veto statement, Kasich said the enrollment freeze violates federal law prohibiting states from “denying coverage to members of an otherwise eligible group.”
» RELATED: Gov. Kasich vetoes plan to stop new Medicaid enrollment in Ohio
He said the Medicaid expansion has brought “improved access to care, decreased costly emergency room use, better overall health status and improved opportunities to seek and continue employment.”
“Our 14,000 employees are on the front lines of caring for our residents who are confronting significant health challenges, such as the opiate epidemic, and they are vital to our state’s success in combating them,” Boosalis wrote.
Boosalis also said Premier Health continues to face increased pressure from the federal government, and is on track to decrease its 2017 budget by an additional $90 million. Since fiscal year 2012, the company has reduced its costs by more than $300 million and consolidated several services, Boosalis claimed.
Reporter Lynn Hulsey contributed to this report.
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