The Buckeye Institute testified before the Ohio House Medicaid Committee, offering several reforms Ohio can make to enhance Medicaid’s integrity and safeguard the program against potential rule changes in Washington. With potential rule changes from Washington, Hederman offered three reforms Ohio can make to strengthen Medicaid’s integrity.

The Buckeye Institute offered initial comments on Governor Mike DeWine’s proposed fiscal year 2026-2027 budget, saying, “While there are many details to be ironed out, The Buckeye Institute commends Governor DeWine for acknowledging that the state is overfunding public school districts with declining enrollment and not providing enough funding for schools that students are attending... Notwithstanding the positives, The Buckeye Institute is disappointed not to hear anything about future tax reform, and there are concerns about the level of overall spending growth.”

The Buckeye Institute commented on the newly released jobs report from the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, saying, ““Employers added 6,300 private-sector jobs in December, and revisions to the November jobs report, which added another 800 private-sector jobs, show Ohio ended the year with 11,000 new private-sector jobs created in November and December. In total, Ohio’s private sector added 53,000 new jobs in 2024, indicating steady job growth for the Buckeye State.”

In a new policy report, Better Energy Policy for Ohio, The Buckeye Institute, in partnership with Americans for Prosperity-Ohio, outlines the challenges facing Ohio as the need and demand for energy grows and offers basic principles lawmakers should use as a guide to develop better energy policies for the Buckeye State. “Ohioans deserve a better, smarter, more principled energy policy that reduces bureaucratic red tape and helps ensure a healthy supply of affordable, reliable energy.”

The Buckeye Institute filed public comments to Ohio’s Department of Medicaid supporting the state’s waiver application that, if approved, will allow the state to implement work and education requirements for healthy adult Ohioans younger than 55 who receive Medicaid benefits. “As anyone who has been unemployed knows, the longer you are out of the workforce, the harder it becomes to find a job. That is why Ohio must do everything it can to help people stay connected to the workforce and find good paying jobs.” 

The Buckeye Institute commented on the newly released jobs report from the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. “Ohio added 3,900 private-sector jobs in November. However, a revision to the October jobs report revealed that Ohio added 1,000 fewer private-sector jobs than initially thought. Even with this change to the October report, Ohio’s private sector continues to expand and create new jobs.”

On American Habits, The Buckeye Institute outlines the benefits of AI in healthcare, writing, “Artificial intelligence programs can help doctors and hospital systems meet many medical needs today and tomorrow. Policymakers should recognize AI’s risks and rewards, and encourage its safe use and development rather than pursuing knee-jerk regulations that may deny us the full potential of new treatments and technologies.”

The Buckeye Institute submitted written testimony to the Ohio House Insurance Committee on the policies in Ohio House Bill 505, urging lawmakers to adopt “sound, market-based reforms that will lower regulatory barriers to healthcare, encourage drug innovation, help maintain drug affordability, and improve patient health.” In his testimony, Rea S. Hederman Jr., vice president of policy at The Buckeye Institute, noted that some policies in House Bill 505 will “likely raise consumer prices at the pharmacy rather than lower them.” 

In a new policy report, How to Make Ohio Healthcare More Affordable: A Public Policy Guide, The Buckeye Institute outlines nine commonsense policy and regulatory reforms that state policymakers can adopt to make healthcare more affordable. “Employers across the country face the challenge of finding affordable healthcare plans that meet the needs of their employees. Fortunately, as The Buckeye Institute’s report outlines, transparency, choice, and competition offer better paths forward for reducing costs and improving quality in healthcare.”   

The Buckeye Institute commented on the newly released jobs report from the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, saying, “September’s report contained good news, with 9,500 new private-sector jobs erasing August’s job loss. Although private-sector job growth has continued throughout 2024, growth remains slow, with some down months slowing the overall upward trend.”