Ohio House Committee Considers Changes to Medicaid Home Health Care Rules
Dozens of disabled Ohioans packed a House hearing to oppose changes that would ban family caregivers from receiving Medicaid payments.
COLUMBUS, OHIO — Dozens of disabled Ohioans and their advocates packed a House committee hearing Wednesday to voice opposition to proposed changes that would prohibit family members from being paid by Medicaid to provide personal care services to disabled relatives.
House Bill 795, known as the Safeguarding Healthcare Integrity through Electronic Location Data or SHIELD Act, has undergone significant revisions since its introduction. Republicans on the Ohio House Medicaid Committee accepted a substitute version of the anti-fraud bill that would ban family caregivers from receiving Medicaid payments and increase mandatory fines for Medicaid fraud.
The revised legislation would impose fines ranging from $1,000 to $15,000 for Medicaid fraud violations, according to reporting by the Statehouse News Bureau’s Karen Kasler.
Advocates Express Concerns Over Care Access
The late Wednesday hearing drew passionate testimony from disabled individuals and advocacy groups who expressed frustration and fear over the potential impact of the proposed changes. The packed committee room reflected widespread concern about how the legislation could affect access to home health care services.
Current Medicaid rules allow family members to serve as paid caregivers for disabled relatives, providing personal care services in home settings. The proposed changes would eliminate this option, potentially forcing families to seek alternative care arrangements.
Bill Aims to Combat Fraud
Supporters of the legislation argue the changes are necessary to prevent fraud within Ohio’s Medicaid system. The SHIELD Act focuses on using electronic location data to verify the delivery of healthcare services and strengthen oversight mechanisms.
The bill represents the second major revision to the original proposal, indicating ongoing negotiations among lawmakers about how to balance fraud prevention with maintaining access to care for Ohio’s disabled population.
The Ohio House Medicaid Committee has not announced when it will vote on the substitute bill. The legislation would need approval from both chambers of the Ohio General Assembly before reaching Governor Mike DeWine’s desk.
