Terra Goodnight · July 3, 2017

Lawmakers May Vote to Override Kasich Medicaid Veto

Success! Thanks to an outpouring of support, Governor Kasich heeded the call to veto a proposal in the state budget to end enrollment in the Medicaid expansion starting in July, 2018. But lawmakers haven’t given up. House Speaker Cliff Rosenberger has scheduled an unusual holiday-week legislative session for Thursday, July 6 at 9am, and has indicated there are enough votes in his chamber to override the Governor’s veto (the bill received 59 of the 60 votes needed for a veto override, but some “no” votes came from conservative lawmakers who may be persuaded to flip). Senate President Larry Obhof, whose chamber passed the budget with a veto-proof margin has not scheduled a date to hold an override vote but expressed confidence his chamber would do so. To clear this one last hurdle to protect Medicaid expansion enrollees, lawmakers need to hear from their constituents. Contact your State Senator and State Representative or ask them NOT to vote to override the Governor’s veto of the Medicaid freeze.