Wayne Allen

PDT Staff Writer

On Thursday, the group Advocates for Ohios Future released a fact sheet showing the potential impact of extending health care coverage in the state budget, if approved by legislators.

The fact sheet states, Scioto Countys economy is stronger when everyone can participate in the economy. Healthy children become productive citizens, healthy citizens build strong communities, and health workers strengthen Ohios economy. If Ohio extends health coverage in the state budget 3,766 Scioto County uninsured 19-64 year olds are projected to gain health coverage by 2015.

According to 2010 figures the group estimated there are 5,422 eligible uninsured adults in Scioto County.

The fact sheet states that if Ohio extends its medicaid coverage, by 2015, only two percent of Scioto County would remain uninsured. Based on 2010 figures that would represent a 69 percent decrease.

In February the the Scioto County Health Coalition unanimously voted to endorse Gov. Kasichs plan to expand Medicaid in Ohio.

Kasich released his plan with this proposal for a $63.3 billion 2014-2015 state budget.

Kasichs plan would expand Medicaid eligibility to Ohioans earning up to 138 percent of federal poverty level (about $15,400 per person). But the extension comes with a condition: If the federal government fails to cover the bulk of the costs, as it has promised, the state will reverse course.

For a number of years weve lived with the reality that some of the unhealthiest folks in our community are unable to access health care services because they are uninsured. The Medicaid expansion will create a pathway for them to be able to access what we think is a very well developed system in our community, between primary care, hospitals and clinics that are available, Ed Hughes of Compass Community Health said. There is likely 20 percent of our citizens that can not access the services we have and this Medicaid expansion will create that opportunity.

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Group says health care expansion positive for Scioto County