SENATE MAJORITY LEADER MITCH MCCONNELL TODAY UNVEILED THE LATEST VERSION OF REPUBLICAN LEGISLATION TO REPEAL AND REPLACE THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT, BETTER KNOWN AS OBAMACARE.
ANALYSTS OF COURSE ARE DISSECTING THE CHANGES, WHICH UNLIKE PREVIOUS REPEAL EFFORTS, WOULD LEAVE IN PLACE SOME TAXES ON TOP EARNERS --- THAT HELP LESS AFFLUENT CONSUMERS BUY COVERAGE.
THE NON-PARTISAN CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE IS EXPECTED TO COMPLETE ITS ANALYSIS OF THE BILL'S IMPACT BY EARLY NEXT WEEK.
WHEN THE CBO 'SCORED' THE PREVIOUS SENATE REVISION, IT PROJECTED 22 MILLION AMERICANS WOULD LOSE COVERAGE -- MOST BECAUSE OF CHANGES TO THE MEDICAID PROGRAM.
IN OHIO, MEDICAID IS A MAJOR PROVIDER OF HEALTH INSURANCE FOR CHILDREN, THE ELDERLY, THE DISABLED, AND LOW INCOME RESIDENTS.
IT'S ALSO A HUGE PART OF THE STATE BUDGET, SO THE PROSPECT OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT REDUCING, OR CURTAILING THE MONEY IT GIVES STATES LIKE OHIO -- IS AT THE HEART OF THE HEALTH CARE REFORM 'POLITICAL FIGHT' IN WASHINGTON.
IDEASTREAM'S BE WELL HEALTH TEAM IS TACKLING THE ISSUE OF MEDICAID IN OHIO IN A SERIES OF SPECIAL REPORTS , WHICH WILL EXPLAIN HOW MEDICAID WORKS HERE, AND HOW MUCH WE ARE SPENDING.
MARLENE HARRIS-TAYLOR IS HERE NOW TO TALK ABOUT THE PEOPLE WHO WERE ENROLLED IN THE PROGRAM, AFTER OHIO EXPANDED IT IN 2014.