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Medicaid
and Ohio's Children's Hospitals
Working
Together to Protect Health Care for Our Kids
Nothing
is more vital to Ohio's future than our children. And
nothing is more important to their future than a healthy
childhood. That's why the partnership between Medicaid
and Ohio's six regional children's hospitals is so critical
– and why it must be protected.
One
in three children in Ohio – and one in two children
age five or younger – depends on Medicaid for health
care coverage, and children account for nearly 60 percent
of Ohio's Medicaid population. For their part, children's
hospitals provide a major share of hospital care for
kids covered by Medicaid, as well as a majority of specialized
care for severely or chronically ill children.
The
partnership between Medicaid and children's hospital
is an indispensable resource for preserving essential
health care for Ohio's kids. Today, this partnership
is at risk – largely because the state of Ohio
is facing a significant budget shortfall over the next two years.
To
deal with this budget shortfall, Ohio's leaders are
considering drastic cuts in the state's Medicaid program.
Reduced Medicaid benefits for children and/or cuts in
Medicaid payments to children's hospitals could limit
access to health care for all of Ohio's three million
children, including those not eligible for Medicaid.
We
can't let this happen. We need to work together to ensure
that Medicaid continues its commitment to a healthy
future for Ohio's children. We need to do everything
possible to protect health care for our kids
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