Ohio Medicaid Costs Have Almost Doubled In Last 10 Years

The Columbus Dispatch (8/8) reported, "The cost of Ohio's largest safety-net program has nearly doubled in the past decade. Taxpayers spent $14.7 billion last year to provide health coverage to poor and disabled Ohioans as Medicaid -- the largest and fastest growing segment of state government -- now consumes about 26 percent of the state budget."

Notably, "a recession-fueled surge in enrollment and an aging population with greater healthcare needs also are to blame for Medicaid's strain on Ohio's budget as well as those nationwide. Unfortunately, the surge in demand and jump in costs come at a time when states are dealing with declining revenues."