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Kasich Touting Study Showing Effectiveness Of Medicaid Expansion

Ohio Public Radio

Ohio Governor John Kasich remains concerned about the future of Medicaid expansion after he leaves office in five months. 

Kasich is defending the program through a new study and with the stories of program enrollees. Ohio Public Radio's Karen Kasler explains. 

“I am very grateful to have Medicaid. It has made my life much better and made me much healthier.”

Brenda Jean Searcy is a law student and lives with her 93 year old dad in Westerville – she’s among 653,000 Ohioans now on Medicaid expansion. Kasich joined his Medicaid department in bringing forward stories like Searcy’s to promote keeping the program. Democratic candidate for governor Richard Cordray supports it, and Kasich says he’s talked to Republican Mike DeWine about his support.

“I worry a little bit about somebody kind of nicking and diming it away somehow – a little bit here, a little bit there – but I think they’ll be for it.”

Medicaid says an independent study shows expansion has cut in half the number of uninsured Ohioans, and 96% of those in the program with opioid addiction got treatment.

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