Governor to reveal decision on Medicaid expansion

Published 9:02 am Monday, February 4, 2013

COLUMBUS (AP) — Ohio’s Republican governor is set to announce whether he wants to expand Medicaid in Ohio under the new federal health care law.

Gov. John Kasich’s decision will come Monday as he rolls out his new state budget proposal.

At stake is expanding health care coverage for more poor people in the state. It’s a key element of President Barack Obama’s health care overhaul.

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A group of Ohio’s doctors and hospitals back the idea. But some conservatives worry the plan will be too costly and are against it.

The U.S. Supreme Court left it up to states last year to decide on Medicaid expansion.

If Kasich wants to move forward with expansion, he’ll need to persuade the Republican-controlled state Legislature to go along with his plan.