Columbus, OH – The Buckeye Institute’s Greg R. Lawson issued the following statement on today’s vote by the Controlling Board to approve $264 million in Medicaid spending.

“Today’s Controlling Board vote to authorize the Department of Medicaid to spend an additional $264 million in taxpayer dollars highlights the need for far greater reforms to a program long known as the ‘Pac-Man’ of the state budget.

“Before any further dollars are appropriated, the General Assembly should make certain that the Kasich Administration will seek waivers that add meaningful personal responsibility requirements for those in the expansion population, including the Healthy Ohio waiver, which would empower Medicaid recipients to obtain better care, put Ohio’s Medicaid program on sounder financial footing, and ensure that needy Medicaid enrollees have to access to good medical care.”

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