Budget Bill Introduced in Ohio House

Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland released his two-year $54.7 billion state budget proposal, February 24, 2009. The measure, HB 1, is under review by the Ohio House of Representatives Finance & Appropriations Committee.

Major health proposals include a controversial new hospital franchise fee, Medicaid Managed Care reform (care management, return to a single state formulary), consolidation of some Medical Board administrative functions into a central administrative office for all licensing boards, health care insurance coverage expansion through several reforms suggested by the State Coverage Initiative, and the creation of a Health Care Coverage and Quality Council.

The purpose of the Council is to advise the governor, general assembly, entities in the public and private sectors, and consumers on strategies to expand affordable health insurance coverage to more individuals and to improve the cost and quality of the state's health insurance system and health care system.