The series of forums (see below) presented an overview of Ohio’s Medicaid program and an overview of state and federal Medicaid reform and budget proposals. Institute President William Hayes discussed Governor Taft’s budget proposal, President Bush’s budget proposal, and the recommendations of the Ohio Commission to Reform Medicaid. A significant portion of the agenda was devoted to audience questions and dialogue on these issues.

Speaker: William Hayes, Ph.D., President of the Health Policy Institute of Ohio. Before joining the Institute, Dr. Hayes was Assistant Deputy Director for Policy and Operations in the Office of Ohio Health Plans in the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, where he helped direct Ohio’s Medicaid program.

Documents that were distributed at the Medicaid Forums:

• An Overview of Ohio and Federal Medicaid Reform Proposals by Bill Hayes, HPIO.
• Some Important Pointers to Consider When Assessing Medicaid Reform Proposals by Bill Hayes, HPIO.
• More slides for “Some Important Pointers…” by Bill Hayes, HPIO.
• Behavioral Health: Developing a Better Understanding by Ohio Association of County Behavioral Health Authorities (sponsored by an Educational Grant from Janssen Pharmaceutica Inc).
• Testimony of Barbara Coulter Edwards, Deputy Director, Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. In front of the Ohio House Finance and Appropriations Committee, Human Services Subcommittee, March 1, 2005.
• Estimating the Effects of Reduced Medicaid Expenditures. Prepared by Anand Desai, Yushim Kim, and Robert Greenbaum. Presented before the Ohio House Finance and Appropriations Committee, Human Services Subcommittee, March 4, 2005.
• Ohio Medicaid Reform: Key Issues to Consider is a brief overview of the different issues that arise in attempting to reform Ohio’s Medicaid program.
• Further recommended readings on Medicaid in Ohio.

In addition, all participants received a copy of Ohio Medicaid Basics, a recent Institute publication that provides an overview of Ohio Medicaid, including eligibility, key programs, financing, and expenditures. To receive additional copies of Ohio Medicaid Basics, call us at 614-224-4950.

New documents since the Medicaid Forums:

These documents are excerpts of the Medicaid and BCMH sections of the Budget Bill, as introduced and as passed by the House (mid-April, 2005). Both documents are from the Ohio Legislative Service Commission

Also, you may download an extracted comparison of these two versions of the Budget Bill.