Thousands of Ohioans to lose healthcare with federal approval of Ohio GOP healthcare restrictions

House Democratic Leader Emilia Strong Sykes (D-Akron) today responded to the federal approval of an Ohio Republican-led Medicaid waiver that is likely to result in some 36,000 Ohioans losing access to healthcare.

“With these new restrictions, tens of thousands of Ohioans stand to lose their healthcare, some when they need it the most,” said Ohio House Democratic Leader Emilia Strong Sykes (D-Akron). “We all want better lives and brighter futures for ourselves and our families, but restricting access to healthcare makes it harder for our state to live up to its full promise.”

Based on other states with similar restrictions, some have estimated the new Medicaid restrictions will actually cost Ohio counties $378 million in operational expenses, while potentially freeing up hundreds of millions for the state over a five year period.

“Not only does taking away healthcare make it harder for Ohioans to have a job, but creating more costs for local communities to potentially free up money for the state is fiscally irresponsible,” added Sykes. “Now, we could have our first glimpse into how the governor uses ‘new’ money to fund a portion of new spending in the state budget.”

Ohio Republicans sought the work restriction waiver in a previous Ohio operating budget.