Buckeye Institute President Testifies Before House Subcommittee

Robert Alt Represents Opposition to Expanding Medicaid

March 13, 2013-COLUMBUS, OHIO-The Buckeye Institute for Public Policy Solutions solidified its position at the forefront of the opposition to Medicaid expansion today as its president, Robert Alt, provided interested party testimony for Ohio's House of Representatives Health and Human Services Subcommittee.  In the course of his testimony, Robert Alt made the case that Medicaid expansion is the wrong policy decision for Ohio-citing the Buckeye Institute's January 31st report outlining the following reasons:

1)Future federal funding reductions would shift burden to Ohio

2)Increased administrative costs of expansion

3)Future sales tax revenue is subject to changing regulatory landscape  

4)Flaws in the often-cited report advocating expansion

5)Relegates more Ohioans to a failing government program

6)Expands government programs and spending

Alt said, "Medicaid expansion is the regulatory equivalent of the Hotel California.  Ohio can opt into the expansion, but there is no meaningful way to opt out, even if the federal government subsequently changes the terms, shifting crippling costs to the states."… Robert Alt's full written testimony, as submitted for the record, can be found on The Buckeye Institute website:  

My Take - Recently at a luncheon in Columbus sponsored by the various pesticide and fertilizer applicators in Ohio the Lt. Gov. openly stated that the Governor agreed to go along with this "Hotel California" Medicaid expansion because it is their view that Ohio can opt out later if the federal government stops paying.  Apparently that is not what the federal government believes, and make no mistake about this....what the federal government believes is what you will believe once you have taken their money.  It's kind of like the mob.  When they bought and paid for a public official they expected them to stay bought and paid for.  

Apparently Kasich has taken one of the ten rings of power from the Dark Lord Sauron and is now in the service of Mordor.  Who'da Thunk It!  RK