Ohio House Passes Legislation to Increase Efficiency in Public Assistance Programs

COLUMBUS—The Ohio House today passed legislation that changes the way information is shared between public programs such as Medicaid, child support, and supplemental nutrition assistance. This will increase effectiveness for recipients, save taxpayer dollars and assist in the detection of fraud and/or abuse.

Substitute House Bill 340, sponsored by State Representative Ron Young (R-Leroy Township) allows for efficiency and better service within the Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services, the Ohio Department of Medicaid, county departments of jobs and family services, public children services agencies, child support agencies, and Medicaid managed care organizations.

The bill would create the opportunity for employees in the aforementioned offices to access information in what would most likely be a “read-only” format. Though these offices often store information about clients in several different databases, not every employee can access every database. This often requires clients to provide the same information multiple times during one visit.

There are also dangerous issues at stake. For example, as under current procedure, a child with diabetes could be paired with a foster home that has no access to that child’s medical records. If the child’s medical information is not input into an accessible database, personnel and case workers cannot view it.

“This initiative represents a collaborative effort polling ideas from Ohio’s many Public Service programs,” said Rep. Young. “It requires no additional spending, while improving efficiency and customer service and reduces potential fraud, which in turn saves taxpayer dollars.”

Under Sub. H.B. 340, client confidentiality would not be compromised. Employees would simply be able to view relevant information in order to better serve the people of Ohio and to ensure greater efficiency within their respective offices.

The bill was passed unanimously during today’s Ohio House session and now goes to the Ohio Senate for further consideration.