Portman Backs Seven-Year Phase-Down in Federal Funds for Medicaid Expansion

Senator Rob Portman says he supports a reduction over time in federal funds for Medicaid expansion.

The Cincinnati-area Republican is taking part in GOP negotiations over an Affordable Care Act replacement. He answered questions about Medicaid during a news conference at MetroHealth Medical Center in Cleveland.

Portman said the expansion of Medicaid eligibility under the ACA has helped fund treatment for opioid addiction.

“So it’s a really important part of how you reform the healthcare system, is that you ensure that those people still have access to coverage,” he said.

He couldn’t support the House GOP version of the bill, he said, because it would roll back federal money for the expansion in 2020. Portman said he backs a more gradual phase down.

“Starting from 90 percent, where it is in 2020, and slowly taking it down over seven years, would be very helpful for Ohio,” he said.

Portman said he’s not sure where the Senate will end up on the issue.