News

Kasich Defends Alternative Medicaid Vote

By:
Posted on:

< < Back to

Gov. John Kasich is defending his decision to turn to a legislative spending panel to push through an expansion of Medicaid rather than relying on the full Ohio Legislature.

Kasich says his administration followed the rules and wasn't thwarting the General Assembly when it put the proposal before the state Controlling Board.

Kasich said Thursday the board's vote is done and he's moving on try to help a lot of people.

The seven-member Controlling Board approved Kasich's request earlier this month to spend $2.56 billion in federal money to cover thousands more poor families and children with an expansion of Medicaid.

Kasich went to the board after fellow Republican lawmakers blocked him in the Legislature.

Two anti-abortion groups and six GOP lawmakers are suing over the Controlling Board move.