Senate adopts resolution urging reinstatement of Medicaid work requirements for certain expansion recipients

The Ohio Senate adopted Senate Concurrent Resolution 5, 21-10, urging the president of the United States to support the Ohio Department of Medicaid's request to implement work requirements for certain Medicaid expansion recipients.

Sponsor Senator Kaler opened debate with an extended analogy to baseball and described the resolution as a step to encourage able-bodied adults under age 55 on Medicaid expansion to engage in work, training or education for at least 20 hours a week. "We need everyone on the team helping contribute to Ohio's success," Kaler said.

Senator Liston spoke in opposition, saying Medicaid is not a jobs program and arguing that coverage helps people find work. "Medicaid isn't a jobs program," Liston said, adding that prior state and federal pilots showed large administrative costs and no proven employment gains.

Senator Romanchuk, speaking for passage, said the resolution's goal is not to remove care but to move people toward financial independence and noted that managed-care organizations are required to address social determinants such as childcare and transportation. "The goal of this resolution is not to remove anybody's health care," Romanchuk said, repeating language from the resolution.

Supporters argued the change would encourage some recipients to pursue work or training and could move people into employer coverage or exchange plans. Opponents cited experience from other states where work requirements led to coverage losses and worse health outcomes and warned of administrative barriers that can cause people to lose coverage even if they remain eligible.

The Senate debate included points about the size of the affected population: Senator Kaler said the focus is on about 61,000 individuals within the larger Medicaid expansion population, while opponents cited a Department of Medicaid estimate that administrative effects could put more people at risk. The resolution does not itself change eligibility; it asks the federal government to support Ohio's request.

The Senate adopted the resolution on a roll call showing 21 yeas and 10 nays. The chamber's sponsors said implementing any work requirement would involve additional administrative costs and coordination with insurers and providers.