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Hocking County commissioners join hospital tax consortium to seek increased Medicaid reimbursements; appoint county representative
Summary
Commissioners voted June 5 to join a multi-county consortium that levies a tax on participating hospitals to generate funds for state-level Medicaid matching, and appointed a county commissioner as the county—s representative. The board also approved a number of routine financial and appointment actions during the meeting.
The Hocking County Board of Commissioners voted on June 5 to join a multi-county consortium intended to increase federal Medicaid reimbursement to local hospitals by assessing a county-level tax on participating hospitals and using the collected funds to draw additional state and federal matching dollars.
A commissioner summarized how the program operates: participating hospitals would remit a county-assessed tax, the county would pass the funds upstream and the consortium administrator would apply for state and federal matching funds; proponents said the approach has been used in other states (Texas, Florida, Pennsylvania) and was endorsed by the hospital—s CEO and CFO. The commissioners said the program does not pass the tax on to patients.
The board voted to adopt a resolution to join the consortium and then approved a second motion appointing a county commissioner (referred to in the meeting as "Drew") to serve as the county—s representative to the multi-county group.
In addition to the hospital-consortium votes, the commissioners handled routine business and a number of formal motions during the meeting. Actions included approving multiple sets of meeting minutes; approving bills and the meeting agenda; several appropriation transfers and additional-revenue certifications tied to sheriff's sales and auditor—s sales; rescinding an earlier initial appropriation for the sheriff—s web-check account due to an accounting error; approving a proxy authorization for the sheriff—s office to permit a sheriff official (Chief Penny Stack) to sign motor-vehicle documents; approving a board appointment to the Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services board (nominee Tom Williamson to fill a vacancy through June 30, 2027); approving closeout paperwork and a final change order for the Rockbridge Sanitary Sewer Improvement Project with retainage to be held until final inspection; and approving a request to reserve five handicapped parking spaces for the Washboard Festival.
Votes at a glance (selected actions and outcomes from the June 5 meeting): - Joined hospital tax consortium and approved resolution to participate: approved (unanimous/voice vote; roll call recorded in meeting). - Appointed Commissioner "Drew" as county representative to the consortium: approved. - Appointed Tom Williamson to the Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services Board to fill a vacancy (term begins July 1, 2023; expires June 30, 2027): approved. - Approved signing standard 2025 CDBG application documents (anti-displacement plan; authorizing paperwork; environmental review certificate): approved (see separate story). - Approved multiple meeting minutes for May 13, May 15, May 22, May 27 (emergency) and May 29: approved (voice/roll calls recorded for some items). - Approved appropriation transfers and additional-revenue certifications tied to sheriff's sales and auditor sales (amounts cited in packet): approved. - Rescinded prior initial appropriation for the sheriff's web-check account (account had no remaining funds): approved. - Authorized proxy letter allowing the sheriff's office to have Chief Penny Stack sign required Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles paperwork: approved. - Approved final change order/closeout for Rockbridge Sanitary Sewer Improvement Project; retainage to be held until final inspection: approved. - Approved reservation of five handicapped parking spaces for the Washboard Festival: approved.
Why it matters: Commissioners said the consortium approach could increase federal Medicaid reimbursements to local hospitals, potentially improving hospital finances that commissioners and hospital leaders said are challenged by below-cost Medicaid reimbursement rates. The resolution does not itself levy a tax; it authorizes the county to participate in the consortium structure and appoints a county representative to the multi-county effort.
What happens next: County staff will forward paperwork required to join the consortium, and the appointed commissioner will represent Hocking County in the multi-county governance or administrative meetings. Separately, staff will continue to process budget transfers, appointment paperwork, and the sewer project closeout and report back to the commissioners as required.
