Strickland Halts Reimbursement Increase

Gov. Ted Strickland surprised the provider community last month (November 2007) when he announced that physicians and hospitals will not receive the expected 3.2 percent Medicaid reimbursement increase slated for January 1, 2008. The Ohio Department of Job & Family Services cited rising Medicaid caseloads and declining state revenues as the reason for halting the increase.

The OOA, Ohio State Medical Association, Ohio Hospital Association, and Ohio Children's Hospital Association responded by sending a joint letter to the Governor, December 5, requesting a meeting to discuss the rationale behind the delay in light of proposed coverage expansions still scheduled to go into effect. Read the letter: http://www.ooanet.org/pdf/MedicaidFreezeLettertoGov.pdf