End of Shutdown: Ohioans Express Concerns Over Rising Health Care Costs Amidst New Deal

Health care is a hot topic as a federal government shutdown looms. Recently, a deal was struck between Republican Senators and some Democrats, but there are still unanswered questions about health care costs. In Ohio, over 500,000 people depend on subsidies to afford health insurance through the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Unfortunately, these subsidies face an uncertain future as premiums continue to rise. The recently passed One Big Beautiful Bill has also altered Medicaid expansion, which currently helps over 745,000 Ohioans.

Many families are deeply affected by these changes. Take Audrey Anderson, a 14-year-old from Columbus. She has a rare genetic disorder that requires specialized care. Thanks to Medicaid expansion, she can live at home, avoiding institutional care—a stark contrast to what might have been the case four decades ago.

Stephanie Murray, another Ohioan, relies on Medicaid for her son, who suffers from intractable epilepsy. His medication costs around $40,000 annually. Murray is worried about the increased eligibility checks for Medicaid recipients, fearing it may further complicate an already challenging system.

Amber Richter from Columbus expressed frustration with her private insurance, which barely covers her daughter’s medical needs. One of her daughter’s medications alone costs $4,500 a month. Richter finds the idea of having to prove her daughter’s disability every year to be offensive and unnecessary.

The One Big Beautiful Bill also introduces stricter eligibility criteria. Recipients now may have to prove their eligibility every six months and meet work requirements by 2027. This could potentially displace up to 450,000 Ohioans from the program, a number significantly higher than earlier estimates.

Around 530,000 Ohioans rely on ACA subsidies for health coverage. Brue Hoyt, a self-employed veteran, expressed concerns about losing his subsidy, which could double his health insurance costs, adding around $12,000 a year to his expenses.

Senator Sherrod Brown, who may run for his old seat next year, is hearing many worries from Ohioans about losing health care coverage due to evolving regulations. He argues Republicans have the power to address these issues immediately, given they control the House, Senate, and presidency.

The cost of ACA subsidies has skyrocketed in recent years, jumping from $18 billion in 2014 to an estimated $138 billion in 2023. Without legislative action, extending these subsidies could cost $350 billion over the next decade. Despite calls from Democrats to renew ACA tax credits, many Republicans are against it.

Senator Jon Husted, Brown’s likely opponent, emphasizes that health care costs are out of hand. He aims to eliminate fraud within the ACA system and target benefits more effectively. However, even as the shutdown may soon end, there’s no certainty that ACA subsidies will continue, leaving millions of Americans in a precarious position.

In an age of rising health costs and shifting policies, it’s more important than ever for individuals to stay informed. The stakes are high, and the future of health care access hangs in the balance.

For more information on the effects of federal subsidies and Medicaid expansion, visit the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget and the Center for Community Solutions.

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