***MEDIA ADVISORY FOR THURSDAY, APRIL 14 AT 12PM ET ***
While Public Health Emergency Order Remains, Ohio Should Ensure Medicaid Eligibility Is Accurately Determined and Vulnerable Ohioans Are Protected
Columbus, OH — During Medicaid Awareness Month on Thursday, April 14, 2022 at 12:00 PM ET, Pennsylvania State Senators Tina Maharath and Thomas West will join Protect Our Care Ohio to discuss the importance of protecting and strengthening the program, which provides Ohioans with access to quality, affordable health care, strengthens local economies, and improves health outcomes across the state. The event will also address the State of Ohio’s concerning approach to determining Medicaid eligibility when the emergency order ends. Yesterday, the federal COVID-19 public health emergency order was extended for 90 days, preventing thousands of vulnerable Ohioans from falling off of Medicaid.
Medicaid has served as a lifeline during the pandemic, but as the federal COVID-19 public health emergency eventually ends, Medicaid coverage will be cut for those determined ineligible by the state. While experts and President Biden Administration’s are urging states to take a year to fully determine post-emergency order eligibility, the State of Ohio plans to make all determinations in 2-3 months, using an outside vendor that will automate eligibility redeterminations.
VIRTUAL EVENT:
WHO:
State Sen. Tina Maharath
State Rep. Thomas West
Daniel van Hoogstraten, Protect Our Care Ohio
WHAT: Virtual Press Conference
WHERE: Register for the Event Here
WHEN: Thursday, April 14, 2022 at 12:00 PM ET