Ohio Democrats Request Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. Reject Ohio's Medicaid Work Requirement Federal Waiver Application

COLUMBUS - Ohio Democrats today sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ Acting Administrator Stephanie Carlton urging them to reject Ohio Department of Medicaid (ODM) request for Group VIII Section 1115 Demonstration Waiver from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). 

“A healthy population is essential to a growing and thriving economy. The best strategies to bolster and strengthen our workforce are to invest in healthcare access, address true barriers to employment including affordable childcare and transportation, and support job training programs. Medicaid work requirements, however, will have little effect on employment at the expense of disrupting healthcare,” wrote Ohio Democrats. “We urge you to reject Ohio’s waiver application and to take the utmost care to ensure that Ohioans are not harmed by the General Assembly’s decision to impose these requirements on our constituents.”

Of Ohio’s 3.2M Medicaid recipients, over 25% of the state’s total population, more than 770K are part of the Medicaid expansion program.

If the Group VIII Section 1115 Demonstration Waiver is approved and implemented (as per O.R.C. Section 5166.37), an individual would have to meet any one of the following criteria to be eligible for Group VIII coverage:

• At least 55 years of age or older;
• Employed;
• Enrolled in a school or occupational training system;
• Participating in a drug addiction or alcohol program; and
• Have severe mental illness or intensive physical health needs.
   

Based on the recent state public comments about instituting Medicaid work requirements, over 90% of the comments were in opposition to the mandate. Currently, Medicaid is allowing for a federal public comment period through April 7, 2025. Individuals who would like to submit comments may do so here.