Columbus, OH – Rea S. Hederman Jr., executive director of the Economic Research Center and vice president of policy at The Buckeye Institute, issued the following statement on President Joe Biden’s visit to Ohio. 

“Today, President Joe Biden comes to Ohio to tout not just the latest unnecessary Washington spending bill—the American Rescue Plan Act—but also the Affordable Care Act, two one-size-fits-all solutions that fail to address the states’ unique challenges and needs. 

“Before the ACA, Ohio had a strong, competitive insurance market. After the ACA, many Ohioans have been left with fewer insurers and higher costs. Rather than fix the problems with the ACA, Washington is throwing more money at the problem—a typical government solution. The result will be the same—higher health insurance costs for Ohioans. 

“Not only does the American Rescue Plan Act send unnecessary money to the states, it increases funding for Medicaid while blocking Ohio’s ability to ensure that benefits only go to the needy and deserving and not those who are ineligible. The result here will also harm Ohioans by increasing costs for Medicaid to unsustainable levels and discouraging work, which will make it harder for Medicaid enrollees to re-enter the workforce and transition to private insurance.  

“These one-size-fits-all solutions will only lead to higher taxes and fewer health care options for Ohioans. This is not the prescription Ohio needs to fight the pandemic.”

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