Ohio families are raising concerns about the proposed Shield Act, a legislative measure that could potentially end Medicaid payments to relatives who provide essential in-home care for loved ones with disabilities. The bill, known as House Bill 795, is currently under review by Ohio’s House Medicaid Committee, led by Rep. Jennifer Gross, R-West Chester.
Concerns from Families
During a recent committee hearing, families and advocates expressed their apprehensions about the impact of the bill on those who rely on Medicaid payments for caregiving. Amber Lynch, a mother caring for her 24-year-old daughter who is deaf and blind, testified about the challenges of finding adequate care. “The truth is that I’ve been seeking care for my daughter, but I cannot find it,” Lynch stated, emphasizing the difficulty of securing quality caregivers.
Justin Martin, another individual affected by the potential changes, shared his struggles in finding a reliable provider. “All of us find our providers by opening up a state database and cold calling dozens of numbers a day. In just the past few months, I’ve called hundreds. Only three of them called me back. Only one stayed longer than two weeks,” Martin explained.
Focus on Medicaid Fraud
Rep. Gross highlighted the bill’s intent to address Medicaid fraud, estimating that there could be $6 to $8 billion of fraud within the system. “We need to stop those receiving care that should not be receiving care. And we need to provide for those who definitely do need the care,” Gross stated during the hearing.
The hearing coincided with a visit from top federal officials, including the FBI director and the acting head of the Justice Department, who announced an aggressive effort to combat Medicaid fraud in Ohio. Colin McDonald, assistant U.S. attorney general, declared, “The war against fraud has come to Ohio. And we plan to leave no doubt as to who will win.”
Next Steps
The Shield Act could be voted on as early as next week, potentially advancing to the Ohio Senate. Families and advocates are closely monitoring the situation, hoping lawmakers will consider amendments to the proposal that would protect the interests of those dependent on Medicaid caregiver payments.
Original reporting: WLWT Cincinnati — read the source article.
