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Kasich's Bipartisan Health Care Reform Gathers More Support

Statehouse News Bureau

A new bipartisan health-care reform proposal meant to stabilize the Affordable Care Act urges President Trump and Congressional leaders to take immediate action. The plan put forth by Republican Ohio Gov. John Kasich and Colorado’s Democratic Gov. John Hickenlooper, is drawing praise from some other governors, too. 

The plan calls for continued federal cost-sharing subsidies to insurance companies so they can continue to reduce deductibles and co-pays for low-income people.

It also exempts insurers who offer coverage in under-served counties from paying a federal tax. And it allows residents in those counties to buy into a program giving them the same health care as federal workers.

The proposal also calls for keeping the mandate that people buy insurance - something some conservatives want to eliminate. But it allows states more flexibility in covering essential benefits under federal law. Kasich says the plan is the result of real compromise. 

Jo Ingles is a professional journalist who covers politics and Ohio government for the Ohio Public Radio and Television for the Ohio Public Radio and Television Statehouse News Bureau. She reports on issues of importance to Ohioans including education, legislation, politics, and life and death issues such as capital punishment. Jo started her career in Louisville, Kentucky in the mid 80’s when she helped produce a televised presidential debate for ABC News, worked for a creative services company and served as a general assignment report for a commercial radio station. In 1989, she returned back to her native Ohio to work at the WOSU Stations in Columbus where she began a long resume in public radio.