I don't quite agree with the characterization of Kasich in this article...from what I understand, the Medicaid expansion (admittedly not supported by the State Legislature) is contingent on the Federal Government keeping up their part of the bargain, which is to fund it 100% for 3 years, and then 90% thereafter.
If the Feds renege (sic) on the funds, then the "expansion" ends. (Good luck with that, but nevertheless...!)
When you consider that ALL Ohioans send far too much tax money to Washington, and the Feds disburse it as they wish, then I don't see a problem with having some of this Federal fund disbursal come back to US, in Ohio, instead of going into the "general fund" to be sent to the other 49 states (or 57, if you're 0bama)...
I do agree that this is not how I would wish my tax dollars to be spent, BUT, seeing as how that's what the Feds are going to do, we might as well get some of our own money back here instead of in Connecticut, Delaware or wherever, right??!
Kasich expanded medicaid in an underhanded way, even though the Ohio Supreme court upheld his move, it smells of the kind of thing Obama is doing - taking executive power to the limit.
If anyone takes federal money, it seems that there is something expected in return. Even if that is not the case and nothing is expected, do you really think the feds will hold up their end of the bargain? They can’t be trusted.
NOT expanding Medicaid was the one thing Kasich could have done to hold Obamacare at bay. Other states with Republican governors have refused to expand medicaid. And Democrats never miss a chance to harp on those red states that are not cooperating with Obama by expanding Medicaid.
Obama gave Kasich several “shout-out”s for expanding medicaid in recent speeches. What does that tell you?
And it is possible that Kasich has violated Ohio Constitution - although the article below is related to something else, there’s a link to the Ohio Health Care Freedom Amendment which 66% of Ohioans voted FOR.
Ohio Constitution Prohibits Legislators from Enacting State Insurance Mandates