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Reps. Fedor,
Kennedy Kent Introduce Healthcare Freedom for All Ohioans
Legislation
Bill will ensure healthcare coverage for all
regardless of income, current health
Special to The Truth
State Reps. Teresa Fedor (D-Toledo) and Bernadine Kennedy
Kent (D-Columbus) today introduced the Ohio Health Security
Act, a bill to establish a single-payer health care plan in
Ohio to universally cover medical, dental and vision
services. Payments to health care providers for all eligible
benefits will be made from a single public fund, called the
Ohio Health Care Fund.
“Even with the progress we’ve made, too many in Ohio are
still struggling to get the care they need when they need
it. It’s time for a change,” said Fedor. “Let’s face it. We
all need healthcare at some point in our lives, and we
shouldn’t have to mortgage our future to get it. Under the
Ohio Health Security Act, every eligible Ohioan will be free
to choose the plan and doctors that work best for their
families without breaking the bank.”
Under the plan, every Ohioan may receive full health care
coverage, regardless of income or employment status, and may
freely choose their own health care providers for services
such as outpatient services to prescription drugs, medical
supplies and medical transportation without costly
co-payments or deductibles. There will also be no exclusions
for pre-existing conditions. Coverage from the Ohio Health
Security Act would begin two years after the bill’s passage.
“While Congress continues to cut backroom deals and pass
secret bills that will only work to increase costs and cut
benefits for hardworking Ohioans, we’re putting together a
concrete plan to make care affordable and flexible to work
for you and your family,” said Kennedy Kent. “Taxpayers
deserve a plan that gives them a real choice and the freedom
to pick a plan that works for them.”
The new health care plans will be administered by the Ohio
Health Care Agency, which will operate under the direction
of the Ohio Health Care Board. The board will consist of two
elected representatives from seven regions across the state
and the director of the Ohio Health Care Agency. The board
will:
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negotiate or set prices for health care services
provided
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establish standards to demonstrate proof of residency
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provide each participating individual with
identification that can be used by providers to
establish eligibility for services
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seek all necessary waivers, exemptions, agreements, or
legislation to allow various federal and state health
care payments to be made to the Ohio Health Care Agency
Recent studies have shown substantial savings associated
with single-payer systems, which work to establish market
power, thereby cutting red-tape, reducing overhead costs and
implementing cost controls, according to the Single Payer
Action Network (SPAN). A full, detailed economic analysis on
the potential impact of the Ohio Health Security Act is
currently underway and set to be released in the coming
months.
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