Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Rep. R. Adams Applauds House Passage of Biennial Budget

Am. Sub. H.B. 59 increases funding for schools, cuts income taxes, and begins to transform health care in Ohio

COLUMBUS—State Representative Richard Adams (R-80th District) has announced that the Ohio House of Representatives yesterday passed a bipartisan, comprehensive state operating budget that provides crucial assistance to schools and community programs, while at the same time reducing the burden on Ohio’s taxpayers.

In addition to providing Ohioans with a $1.5 billion state income tax cut over the next two years, Amended Substitute House Bill 59 also ensures that none of Ohio’s school districts will receive less state aid than they did in FY 2013, increases funding for special education, mental health services and addiction services, and takes significant steps to make higher education more affordable.

“The budget passed by the Ohio House on a bipartisan vote is a prudent budget,” said Representative Adams. “It spends taxpayer money in a way that will provide the services needed by the citizens of Ohio. Just over eighty-five percent of the budget will be going to local communities, providing a variety of services to taxpayers.”


During Thursday’s voting session, the House adopted an amendment to Am. Sub. H.B. 59 that aims to transform Medicaid and Ohio’s health care delivery system. The amendment will require the director of the Governor’s Office of Health Transformation and the director of Medicaid to submit to the General Assembly a proposal to reform Medicaid.

Specifically, the goals of the amendment include:

  • Focusing on moving certain individuals off Medicaid and onto an employer-sponsored health insurance or the health insurance marketplace
  • Implementing strategies to lower Medicaid caseloads by offering workforce readiness, educational services and wellness services
  • Seeking to lower the net state and federal costs for the Medicaid program and reduce the number of individuals who enroll in Medicaid over time

Am. Sub. H.B. 59 will now move to the Ohio Senate for further consideration.

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