Rep. Bryant Bailey Votes No on SB 315, Says Ohioans Deserve Better

COLUMBUS — State Rep. Ashley Bryant Bailey (D-Cincinnati) yesterday voted against Senate Bill (SB) 315, a bill originally meant to modernize Ohio’s SNAP program, which was later amended to include House Bill (HB) 715. A bill to reform Ohio’s Medicaid program. Rep. Bryant Bailey gave the following statement regarding her no vote:

“Today, I voted no on Senate Sub Bill 315, which started as a good bill, intended to modernize the SNAP program. I support improving our SNAP programs and delivering quality services to our most vulnerable constituents. What I do not support is sneaking in the Medicaid Sub Bill. However, the Democratic Caucus worked tirelessly to ensure that the most damaging portions were removed; our constituents still deserve better. All Ohioans deserve a transparent process, not a rushed one with far too many short-notice amendments. 

For more than 16 years, Republicans have been in control of this state. If the Medicaid program is filled with fraud, it is due to the lack of leadership and oversight from Republicans. 

There is so much more work to be done to create a Medicaid program that serves Ohioans in the ways they deserve. We should reduce the waiting time for participants to reach the call center. We should have more safeguards in place to protect our seniors from scammers and those looking to take advantage of them. Our waivers should match the financial realities we face today, with the cost of living climbing higher and higher. 

These are just a few of the many ways we can give the people of Ohio the services they deserve. I will continue to fight for our most vulnerable and to bring the standard of living up for everyone, not just an extremely fortunate few. We can achieve this in so many different ways rather than cutting programs and creating even more red tape and hoops for people to jump through.

In Solidarity,
Ashley Bryant Bailey”