Ohio Republicans Remove Family Caregiver Ban from Medicaid Bill After Backlash
Ohio Republicans dropped a controversial ban on family Medicaid caregivers after facing massive public opposition to the proposal.
COLUMBUS, OHIO — Ohio Republican lawmakers reversed course Monday on controversial legislation that would have banned family members from serving as paid caregivers for Medicaid recipients, following intense public opposition to the proposal.
State lawmakers removed the most contentious provision from Ohio House Bill 795 after what State Rep. Josh Williams, R-Sylvania Township, described as “mass backlash from residents.” The original bill would have prohibited family members of Medicaid recipients from becoming certified caregivers under the state’s home healthcare program.
“That was a direct result of listening to interested parties and constituents,” Williams said regarding his decision to pull the provision from the legislation.
Current Family Caregiver Program Remains Intact
Under the existing system, family members who live with qualifying Medicaid recipients can become certified caregivers. The process requires passing a background check, completing several hours of training, and working with an already accredited Medicaid provider.
The program pays family caregivers up to $1,800 per month, depending on the specific care arrangement. Governor Mike DeWine has defended the program for weeks, emphasizing its importance for keeping vulnerable Ohioans in their homes.
“No one wants to go to an institution; no one wants to go to a nursing home,” DeWine said at an unrelated event. “They want to stay in their own home.”
Federal and State Concerns Over Program Integrity
The proposed restrictions emerged amid growing skepticism from national and state Republican officials about potential program abuse. Federal Medicaid chief Dr. Mehmet Oz expressed concerns during a May visit to Ohio about the program’s scope.
“We don’t want everybody hiring their kids to carry the groceries up the stairs, nor driving everyone to the doctor’s office for a visit,” Oz said.
Legislative leaders claim some Medicaid-paid providers are not fulfilling their responsibilities. Some Republican lawmakers have alleged widespread fraud in the home healthcare system, though Williams acknowledged he had originally targeted “comfort care” services that focus on vulnerable individuals’ mental health rather than programs serving people with developmental disabilities.
Bipartisan Relief Over Policy Reversal
The decision to remove the family caregiver ban drew praise from Democrats and some Republicans, including former Ohio House Speaker Jason Stephens, R-Kitts Hill. Stephens had previously criticized the original bill on social media, saying it would “totally blow up Medicaid in Ohio.”
“It feels like we’re moving in the right direction so far,” Stephens said in an interview. “Hopefully, we can come up with a product that does enable to keep fraud, waste, and abuse at bay. But also, still, we aren’t harming the things that do work in Medicaid.”
The modified legislation continues through the state legislative process, with lawmakers now focusing on other aspects of Medicaid oversight while preserving the family caregiver program that serves thousands of Ohio families.
