Democratic Leader: Less Talk, More Action on Medicaid Expansion

Today, Ohio House Democratic Leader Tracy Maxwell Heard (D-Columbus) was joined by State Rep. Mike Foley (D-Cleveland) to urge Gov. Kasich to take meaningful action on Medicaid expansion. The call to action came just before Gov. Kasich was scheduled to appear at a public relations rally in the Ohio Statehouse. 

“Public-relations rallies alone will not move Medicaid expansion forward,” said Democratic Leader Tracy Maxwell Heard.  “We are urging Gov. Kasich to join us in focusing on constructive solutions that will advance this broadly supported effort to expand Medicaid coverage in Ohio.” 

On June 27, 2013, State Rep. Mike Foley began a procedural move to “discharge” a bill that would expand Medicaid, H.B. 176, from committee and move directly to the House floor for a vote. House Democrats began gathering the necessary fifty signatures required to discharge this bill from committee and called on Gov. Kasich to help urge just a handful of House Republicans to sign and move the bill to the floor.

“It is frustrating that the very man who has the power to make this opportunity a reality for uninsured Ohioans will rally with likeminded supporters, but gives no indication he will take a head-on approach in dealing with radical politicians in his party,” said Rep. Foley. “Instead of public-relations rallies, Gov. Kasich should be working with us to help move this forward and get something done for Ohioans. Time is running out.”

The Ohio House is currently on summer break and is not officially scheduled to return for an official session day until Oct. 2, 2013.