Ohio Democrats Propose Single-Payer Health Care
Oct. 24–COLUMBUS — Even as the Republican-controlled General Assembly has moved to restrict Ohio’s expansion of Medicaid, a pair of Democratic lawmakers Tuesday proposed a single-payer health-care system that would be funded by state taxpayers.
Reps. Teresa Fedor (D., Toledo) and Bernadine Kennedy-Kent (D., Columbus) said they are hoping to start a conversation in Ohio about state-supplied health coverage that everyone not already on Medicaid or Medicare would be eligible for, regardless of income.
Unlike the federal Affordable Care Act, there would ultimately be no role for private insurers within that government-run system. Eventually those who receive their health care via contracts negotiated with their employers would come under the system.
Ms. Fedor said the debate starts with the assumption that health care is a human right.
“The Ohio Health Security Act ensures that all Ohioans have health insurance, meeting the basic needs of all Ohioans and providing affordable health options for our citizens,” she said. “This act allows health care choices to remain private, yet have them publicly funded.”
The bill would create a state agency with regional members that would negotiate prices and pay the costs of medical, vision, and dental treatment.