Print copies of this data brief are available by e-mailing info. Please include complete contact information (including organization name, mail address, zip code, and phone number), along with how many copies are needed.

Health Data Brief for Dec. 15, 2005
Study Estimates Economic Effects of Medicaid Spending Changes on Ohio
Job and Economic Losses Vary Across Counties

Download Data Brief for Dec. 15, 2005
(Dec. 2005, pdf format, 941 KB)

Download Complete Report, "Estimating Local Effects of Medicaid Expenditure Changes"
(Dec. 2005, pdf format, 246 KB)
Need Adobe Acrobat Reader? Download here.

From the Summary and Introduction:

The Health Policy Institute of Ohio funded a research project to look at the economic impact of the Medicaid cost containment measures included in Ohio’s current biennial budget. These cost containment measures totaled $745 million of state-generated general revenue funds – $268 million in SFY 2006 and $477 million in SFY 2007. The study found that:

• The cost containment measures could result in a $2.4 billion loss to Ohio’s economy;
• Almost 24,000 jobs could be lost over the two-year period; and
• Ohio could lose over $12 million in state income taxes in SFY 2006 and $21 million in SFY 2007.

Further, this impact is not felt equally among Ohio’s counties. Some counties will fare worse because they have a higher percentage of people on Medicaid, they have a sicker or older population (which means more expensive), their local health care industry relies on Medicaid dollars, and/or their providers treat Medicaid patients who come from other counties for services.

The study, completed by Anand Desai, Yushim Kim, and Robert Greenbaum of the Ohio State University, analyzed census data, tax and job information from the Ohio Department of Development, and Medicaid information from the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. Additional support for the study came from the Health Foundation of Greater Cincinnati.