Health Care Coverage Reform Initiative About the Initiative

Far too many Ohioans, including too many children, have no affordable health insurance coverage, have no reliable access to healthcare, and have health problems that can be prevented or controlled. For these reasons, Governor Strickland has laid out a vision for Ohio that includes expanding health coverage to all children, reducing by half the number of uninsured adults by 2011, and improving the overall health of Ohioans by addressing the causes of poor health through an emphasis on prevention.

In order to achieve this vision, the Governor has initiated an effort to reform Ohio’s healthcare coverage system. The purpose of this initiative is to provide access to affordable health insurance coverage to all uninsured Ohioans with an initial goal of providing coverage to 500,000 more Ohioans by 2011. Governor Strickland also wants to increase the number of small employers who are able to offer coverage to their workers. To develop reforms that achieve these goals, Governor Strickland has asked for a bi-partisan, inclusive, and transparent process to develop reforms that are tailored to Ohio.

Various activities are underway to gather information and to engage stakeholders and the public in discussions about developing comprehensive, effective reforms. For example, the State of Ohio recently received an invitation to participate in the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation program called the State Coverage Initiative – Coverage Institute. The Coverage Institute will allow Governor Strickland’s administration to work with leaders from the Ohio General Assembly and key stakeholders to identify and discuss issues that must be addressed for Ohio to cover its uninsured residents. A larger advisory group has also been formed to provide guidance in developing reforms. Economic and actuarial consultants are also being hired to conduct studies and review reform proposals to make sure that proposed reforms accomplish their intended goals.

Importantly, stakeholder groups are currently being formed to share information that will shape plans to cover Ohio’s uninsured residents. If you would like to join one of these stakeholder groups, please go to the “Public Input” section of this website and provide your contact information and group preference so you can be added to one of the stakeholder groups.

This website is a tool to share and gather information about our effort. It will serve as an important source of information about meetings that are being held, information that is being gathered, and concepts for reform that are being considered and discussed. Your participation in this process is important, and we welcome your ideas, comments and insights.