LRS comments on Ohio's proposal to modernize, expand and reform Medicaid eligibility

The Ohio Legal Rights Service (LRS) provided comments to the Governor's Office of Health Transformation on Ohio's Medicaid demonstration proposal to modernize the Medicaid eligibility process. LRS supports the core features of the proposal, citing them as common sense steps toward stabilizing care, enhancing healthy outcomes for Ohioans, and gaining efficiencies within the State's public health care system. The core features include provisions to simplify the various eligibility categories, streamline the eligibility determination process, modernize the public benefits information technology infrastructure, and expand coverage to more Ohioans.

LRS also provided the following recommendations:

• Continue to participate in federal health care reform to ensure expanded health coverage to Ohioans, including people with disabilities;
• Maintain coverage/eligibility for people receiving services through home and community-based services waivers and the Medicaid Buy-in for Workers with Disabilities (MBIWD) program to provide a stable continuum of quality care that allows them to live in the community rather than in institutions;
• Maintain Early Periodic Screening Diagnosis and Treatment (EPSDT) services for those who are 19 and 20 years old;
• Conduct further study and review of the MBIWD program to assess its effectiveness and areas that need improvement; and
• Ensure that people are properly afforded their due process rights.

Read the details in LRS' comments: Proposed Section 1115 Demonstration: Medicaid Eligibility Modernization Project (PDF file)

See also the comments submitted by the Ohio Legal Aid Programs: The Ohio Legal Aid Programs' Comments to Ohio's Proposed Section 1115 Demonstration Medicaid Eligibility Modernization Project (PDF file)

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