News
Ohio Tax Collections Up, But So Are Medicaid Caseloads
By: Karen Kasler | Statehouse News Bureau
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COLUMBUS, Ohio (Statehouse News Bureau) — After three months of declines, Ohio took in 8 percent more in taxes than the Office of Budget and Management estimated, though much of that is connected to the delay of the tax deadline to July 15. But there was a different kind of growth in the state’s July report that could be concerning.
Former Ohio Medicaid director John Corlett – who’s now with the Center for Community Solutions – says the caseload growth seems manageable, but it’s something to watch if infections spike and businesses shut down.
“Medicaid caseload growth tends to lag other indicators, like food stamp cases are up to a larger extent than Medicaid because that’s because people need that help immediately,” Corlett said.
Corlett says the majority of new Medicaid costs are being borne by the federal government, which he says is critical because states need help covering these costs.
Just over three million Ohioans are now receiving Medicaid coverage.
The state cut $775 million from the budget at the end of the fiscal year that ended June 30. $210 million of that cut was in the Medicaid budget.