State of Ohio Archives: on Health Care
Bob Taft:
Golden Buckeye Card for senior Rx discounts
We’ll also address the staggering cost of prescription drugs for our senior citizens. Insurance companies routinely negotiate discounts of up to 30 percent off the price they pay for drugs - and some will pass these savings along to consumers.
I will propose legislation to allow the state to select the best possible discount program for all Ohio’s seniors, and make it available through our Golden Buckeye Card. It’s time to give seniors a helping hand on the cost of prescription drugs!
Source: 2001 State of the State Address to Ohio Legislature
Jan 24, 2001
Eric Fingerhut:
Fund basic health care for all citizens
Principles which Fingerhut supports regarding health care:- Ensure that citizens have access to basic health care through managed care, insurance reforms, or state funded care where necessary.
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Create a discount drug program for seniors based on bulk purchasing of drugs by the state.
- Support patients' right to sue their HMOs.
- Support patients' right to appeal to an administrative board of specialists when services are denied.
Source: Ohio Congressional 2002 National Political Awareness Test
Nov 5, 2002
Jane Timken:
Obamacare was a government takeover of our healthcare
One of the reasons why I objected to Obamacare was because it was a government takeover of our healthcare in our lives. I don't believe in government intrusion. I think government takeover of our healthcare is an inefficient way to deliver
good healthcare results for the American people. And you start to see this overreach in the disastrous policies of the Democrats. Federal control is not what this country is about.
Source: Jewish Insider on 2022 Ohio Senate race
Mar 26, 2021
Jane Timken:
COVID: No new mask mandates; no mandated vaccines in schools
These are our kids and this is their future. We have to stand up and fight back against the left's continued power grabs that place teachers unions and leftist ideology first, and students last.That means full in person learning, no new mask
mandates, no mandated vaccines, and no Critical Race Theory. It should be up to parents, in consultation with their doctor, whether or not they want their child vaccinated. It should be up to parents whether or not they want their child to wear a mask.
Source: TownHall.com on 2022 Ohio Senate race
Jul 26, 2021
Jim Renacci:
Competition & tort reform instead of ObamaCare
Unfortunately, the Affordable Care Act failed to effectively address the increasing cost of providing care. We must take measures to reduce costs and make access to health insurance more affordable for everyone. The key to making health care more
affordable lies with increasing competition and eliminating unnecessary overhead costs on the system, not with a new government takeover of the health care system.While there are several parts of the law that I do support, such as eliminating
spending caps on essential benefits, preventing insurers from unjustly cancelling policies, closing the Medicare Part D "doughnut hole," and increasing wellness incentives, the President's health care reform law does not effectively address any
of the cost issues that prevent Americans from receiving appropriate health care.
I support health care reform that allows consumers to purchase insurance across state lines, and I believe that tort reform will reduce health care costs further.
Source: 2018 Ohio gubernatorial campaign website renacci.house.gov
May 2, 2017
Jim Renacci:
Key to affordable healthcare is increasing competition
Q: Support or Repeal Affordable Care Act (ACA), known as ObamaCare?Sherrod Brown (D): Support & improve ACA. "Repeal would devastate Ohio children" & reduce access to opioid treatment.
Jim Renacci (R): Repeal ACA. Key to affordable healthcare is increasing competition, decreasing overhead.
Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on Ohio Senate race
Oct 9, 2018
Jim Renacci:
Ohio must roll back Medicaid Expansion
ELIMINATE MEDICAID EXPANSION- Medicaid was established for the elderly, indigent, handicap and children. That is where the Medicaid program needs to be spending its dollars.
- Ohio must roll back Medicaid Expansion,
which is unsustainable, and make sure the funds we have are used only for the elderly, Indigent, handicapped and children.
- Medicaid is taking up almost 50% of our state budget.
Source: 2021 Ohio Gubernatorial campaign website JimRenacci.com
Jun 10, 2021
Joe Schiavoni:
Protect Medicaid expansion; oppose ObamaCare repeal
As Governor, Joe Schiavoni will protect the expansion of Medicaid that has given health insurance to over
700,000 Ohioans, fight any attempt to repeal the Affordable Care Act, and work with local communities to reduce the rates of infant mortality.
Source: 2018 Ohio Governor website JoeForOhio.com
Aug 17, 2017
John Kasich:
Medicaid expansion brought health care to 700,000 people
The expansion of Medicaid has brought health care to 700,000 people, one quarter of whom have chronic illness and one-third are struggling with mental illness or drug addiction.
Expanding Medicaid has freed up expanded resources in our communities to help more people.
Source: 2017 Ohio State of the State address
Apr 5, 2017
John Kasich:
$112M for mental health hospital, plus Medicaid expansion
Talking about the need to address difficult mental health issues, Gov. John Kasich signed the $2.6 billion state capital budget, which includes $112 million to replace the main hospital at the Twin Valley Behavioral Healthcare campus.
Kasich, now about nine months from leaving office, also urged majority GOP lawmakers--and the next governor--to not do away with Medicaid expansion that he pushed so hard to implement. "It will be very easy to cut the programs that help people who
need help," he said. "Don't let it happen, folks, because you won't have the services for mental health, for drug addiction and to help the uninsured."
Part of the two-year capital budget seeks to address
mental health and drug addiction problems that continue to plague the state. That includes funding to replace the 178-bed facility at Twin Valley, which Kasich said he agreed to fund over a recommendation against it from his budget director.
Source: Columbus Dispatch on Ohio legislative records
Mar 30, 2018
Jon Husted:
No work requirement for Medicaid undermines American ethic
[On Medicaid]: "The Biden Administration's decision to withdraw Ohio's Medicaid work requirement fails to prepare people for a productive life, trapping recipients in a never-ending cycle of dependency and poverty," tweeted Lt. Gov.
Jon Husted. "The idea that Americans can receive free health care at the expense of other hard-working Americans and cannot be asked to complete job training, education or work 20 hours per week undermines the American ethic."
Source: Ohio Capital Journal on 2022 Ohio Gubernatorial race
Sep 10, 2021
Josh Mandel:
Why shut down schools & small businesses for COVID?
Mandel criticized former Ohio Health Director Amy Acton, who is considering entering next year's Senate primary. Referring to Acton's initial projections that Ohio would see thousands of COVID cases each day, Mandel said she was widely inaccurate, even
though Ohio's average now is 10,000 cases per day."I'd love to have a debate of why Amy Acton shut down all these small businesses and shut down all these schools," Mandel said.
In addition, Mandel accused Acton--without evidence--of lying to
Gov. Mike DeWine about the threat the pandemic posed. Mandel also criticized the governor's handling of the pandemic response and accused him, too, of closing schools. "I completely disagree with Gov. DeWine's handling of the shutdowns of all these
businesses and schools," he said. "I think it was total government overreach. I think the big hand of government came in and unfairly shut down all these small businesses and unfairly shut down all these schools."
Source: WKYC 3News on 2022 Ohio Senate race
Feb 10, 2021
Josh Mandel:
ObamaCare is job killer: prefers physician-owned hospitals
On health care, Mandel reiterated his opposition to Obama's Affordable Care Act, save for requirements to cover those with pre-existing medical conditions and to allow young adults to remain under their parents' coverage up to age 26.
But he believes "most of the rest of the bill is a job-killer." He talked most enthusiastically about fostering physician-owned hospitals as a way to create competitive, effective alternatives, and tort reform.
Source: Cleveland Plain-Dealer on 2022 Ohio Senate race
Aug 27, 2012
Josh Mandel:
ACA a job killer, physician-owned hospitals an alternative
On health care, Mandel reiterated his opposition to Obama's Affordable Care Act, save for requirements to cover those with pre-existing medical conditions and to allow young adults to remain under their parents' coverage up to age 26.
But he believes "most of the rest of the bill is a job-killer." He talked most enthusiastically about fostering physician-owned hospitals as a way to create competitive, effective alternatives, and tort reform.
Source: The Cleveland Plain-Dealer on 2022 Ohio Senate race
Aug 27, 2012
Lee Fisher:
Supports new healthcare reform law
On health care, Fisher supports the new health care reform law, while Portman wants to repeal it, calling it a big government approach and job killer that fails to contain costs.
Source: Dayton Daily News coverage of 2010 Ohio Senate debate
Oct 13, 2010
Mary Taylor:
ObamaCare saddles Ohio with higher costs
Gov. John Kasich and Lt. Gov. Mary Taylor released the following statement in response to the ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court on the constitutionality of the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act:"We're very disappointed that this
flawed law has been allowed to stand. The Supreme Court has confirmed what everyone knew all along--but that the White House tried to deny: this is a massive new tax on the middle class. Hopefully Congress will eventually repeal the law altogether and
replace it with improvements that actually address the most pressing needs in health care, especially the need to reduce costs in order to improve access. Until then, Ohio taxpayers could be saddled with dramatically higher costs. Going forward, we
remain committed to minimizing the law's drag on the economic growth Ohio is beginning to experience, protecting the inviolate relationship between doctors and patients, and preserving as much free market competition in health care as possible."
Source: 2012 Ohio Gubernatorial press release, "Health Care Ruling"
Jun 28, 2012
Matt Dolan:
Obamacare has become a tool of partisan grift
- Obamacare was conceived wrongly, implemented poorly and has become a tool of partisan grift.
- I will always fight for commonsense healthcare policies that will help control costs, expand access and improve the quality of care.
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Dolan has spearheaded efforts in the State Legislature to address surprise medical billing and healthcare transparency costs.
- Dolan voted to enhance telemedicine in Ohio to improve access to care in rural and underserved areas.
Source: 2021 OH Senate campaign website DolanForOhio.com
Sep 21, 2021
Michael Pryce:
ObamaCare intimidates doctors to withhold treatment
Pryce, who has written a book on the federal health care act and has his own competing health-care plan, said he's participated in two presidential medical round tables. The health-care law seeks to "intimidate and force doctors to withhold medication,
treatment, fluids and nutrition and commit abortions against their will," he said. "There can be no greater crime than to demote the sanctity of life and intimidate doctors to end life based on cost-benefit analysis."
Source: Cleveland Jewish News coverage of 2012 Ohio Senate Debates
Feb 29, 2012
Mike DeWine:
Repeal ObamaCare; add work requirements to Medicare
Q: Support or Repeal ACA, aka ObamaCare? Accept ACA's Medicaid expansion to subsidize low-income participants?Richard Cordray (D): Supports ACA. On Medicaid expansion, 700,000 Ohioans have access to health care "who will
not have it if it goes away."
Mike DeWine (R): Repeal ACA, believes could still keep pre-existing condition coverage. "Medicaid expansion is financially unsustainable," but would keep for now with added work requirements.
Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on Ohio Governor race
Oct 9, 2018
Mike DeWine:
Treat mental illness as a health issue, not a crime
The future Ohio that I envision has the best, most robust behavioral health workforce in the country--a workforce that is hailed as heroic and valued as a vital part of our healthcare system.An Ohio where mental illness isn't criminalized,
lessening pressure on the criminal justice system. Shame, fear, stigma, and embarrassment are erased. Mental illness is treated as a health issue--not as a crime. And those who seek help are met with respect--and treated with the dignity they deserve.
Source: 2022 State of the State Address to the Ohio legislature
Mar 23, 2022
Mike Gibbons:
Replace ObamaCare with competition
ObamaCare must be fully repealed. After we repeal ObamaCare, we need to start from scratch. We need to lower the out-of-control costs of health care itself and create a new system built on the principles of free enterprise.
Health care providers should compete to serve you. They should be working to offer the best possible care at the best possible price. The role of government should be minimal.
Source: 2018 Ohio Senatorial website GibbonsForOhio.com
Oct 15, 2017
Mike Gibbons:
Opposes ObamaCare
Q: Do you support or oppose the statement, "Expand ObamaCare"?
A: Strongly oppose
Source: OnTheIssues interview of 2018 Ohio Senate candidate
Apr 24, 2018
Nan Whaley:
Medicaid crucial to helping addicts; don't throw people off
Medicaid covers both inpatient and outpatient drug rehabilitation. It also pays for a significant share of states' buprenorphine medication-assisted treatment. In my Montgomery County, where 773 treatment beds aren't nearly enough to respond to our
ever-growing need, it's critical that we expand treatment options, not make them out-of-reach by throwing people off their health insurance. The same is true for states and counties across the country.
Source: US News & World Report on 2018 Ohio Gubernatorial race
Jul 24, 2017
Nan Whaley:
Build infrastructure to distribute millions of vaccines
Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley, who announced that she would not be running for a third term as mayor this year, [discussed] the prospect of running for Ohio governor in 2022. "I am a progressive Democrat and I work with Republicans all the time and I know it
can be done,'' Whaley said. "But I honestly think [DeWine] is trapped by the extremist elements of his party,'' Whaley said, [especially the NRA].In our talk, Whaley raised another issue where she has a bone to pick with the incumbent governor--the
distribution of COVID-19 vaccines throughout the state. "We are very concerned that that the infrastructure is not there to deal with getting vaccines to millions of people in Ohio,'' Whaley said. "The governor and the state are still in a scarcity mind
set. And it's appropriate that we be careful about allocating scarce resources. But, by March or April, there will be plenty coming in. What happens when we have a ton of vaccines coming in?"
Source: WVXU Cincinnati NPR on 2022 Ohio Gubernatorial race
Jan 8, 2021
Richard Cordray:
ObamaCare saves lives and improves health
Reliable access to quality health care saves lives, promotes stable and healthy lifestyles, and provides security across the social and economic spectrum. The ACA has benefited a huge number of Ohioans by providing them with greater access to affordable
health care, which is a major worry for people and their families. Yet politicians in Washington are currently seeking to strip away the health care protections. We must fight to keep our health care and help Ohioans manage any gaps in coverage.
Source: 2018 Ohio gubernatorial campaign website CordrayForOhio.com
Apr 4, 2018
Richard Cordray:
Expand Medicaid and ObamaCare
Q: Support or Repeal ACA, aka ObamaCare? Accept ACA's Medicaid expansion to subsidize low-income participants?Richard Cordray (D): Supports ACA. On Medicaid expansion, 700,000 Ohioans have access to health care "who will
not have it if it goes away."
Mike DeWine (R): Repeal ACA, believes could still keep pre-existing condition coverage. "Medicaid expansion is financially unsustainable," but would keep for now with added work requirements.
Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on Ohio Governor race
Oct 9, 2018
Rob Portman:
Repeal new health reform; it's a job killer
On health care, Fisher supports the new health care reform law, while Portman wants to repeal it, calling it a big government approach and job killer that fails to contain costs.
Source: Dayton Daily News coverage of 2010 Ohio Senate debate
Oct 13, 2010
Sherrod Brown:
Repealing ObamaCare would devastate Ohio children
Q: Support or Repeal Affordable Care Act (ACA), known as ObamaCare?Sherrod Brown (D): Support & improve ACA. "Repeal would devastate Ohio children" & reduce access to opioid treatment.
Jim Renacci (R): Repeal ACA. Key to affordable healthcare is increasing competition, decreasing overhead.
Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on Ohio Senate race
Oct 9, 2018
Ted Strickland:
Improve ObamaCare: repeal Cadillac Tax; negotiate Rx drugs
Q: Should the federal government ensure that every American has health coverage?Ted Strickland: Over the last six years, hundreds of thousands of Ohioans have taken advantage of healthcare offered as a result of the Affordable Care Act.
But there is still significantly more work to do and there are still serious problems within our system that need to be fixed. For instance, Americans are paying roughly double what citizens in other countries are paying for the same medicine.
We should always be open to improving on the ACA. We should repeal the Cadillac Tax so that workers aren't penalized for having high quality plans and make it easier for small businesses to provide health insurance to their employees.
Medicare Part D should be allowed to negotiate for better drug prices, just like the Department of Veterans Affairs does. And hospitals that are charging too much need to rein in overhead costs and pass the savings along to patients.
Source: Vote411.org League of Women Voters on 2016 Ohio Senate Race
Sep 19, 2016
Tim Ryan:
Reauthorize the Healthy Start for Infants program
I introduced the Healthy Start Reauthorization Act, a bill that would reauthorize the Healthy Start for Infants program for five years. Healthy Start has been at the forefront of the fight against infant mortality for over
25 years, ensuring that women and families in low-income communities get access to early prenatal care, postpartum home visiting, fatherhood education programs, and other high-quality services.
Source: Mahoning Matters on 2022 Ohio Senate race
Oct 29, 2020
Mike DeWine:
We will no longer focus on sick care, but on well care!
When I took office, we started to reimagine healthcare in Ohio, starting by transforming Medicaid managed care to be focused more on positive health outcomes and less on the business of healthcare. Historically, our system pays healthcare
providers to provide care when you need that care. We don't reward doctors for actually keeping you healthy. We will no longer focus on sick care, but on well care!
Source: 2024 State of the State Address to the Ohio legislature
Apr 10, 2024
JD Vance:
Opposes legalizing aid-in-dying
Candidate Profile Questionnaire: RIGHT TO LIFE: - Q: I support 'aid in dying' laws which legalize assisted suicide and euthanasia?
A: Strongly Disagree. - Q: Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive funds from
federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants)?
A: Strongly Agree. - Q: Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
A: The ONLY exception that I would favor is a strict life of the mother exception.
Source: AFA iVoterGuide on 2022 Ohio Senate
Nov 1, 2022
JD Vance:
Let individuals (and parents) decide on vaccinations
Candidate Profile Questionnaire: HEALTHCARE: - Q: Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
A: Individuals should make medical decisions for themselves. Parents should make medical decisions for their children.
Source: AFA iVoterGuide on 2022 Ohio Senate
Nov 1, 2022
Bernie Moreno:
Obamacare had zero to do with affordability
Health Care : Increase or decrease government support for health care?- Sherrod Brown (D): Increase. "No family should ever be one emergency room visit away from financial disaster...
I refused to accept Congressional health insurance until Congress passed the Affordable Care Act." Voted to cap the cost of insulin at $35 and reduce drug costs for Medicare participants.
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Bernie Moreno (R): Mostly decrease. Opposes the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare. Said it "had zero to do with affordability."
Supports letting "the markets work" to lower costs. "We waste enormous, enormous sums of money on healthcare."
Source: Guides.vote candidate survey on 2024 Ohio Senate race
Aug 8, 2024
Sherrod Brown:
Cap insulin at $35; reduce drug costs for Medicare
Health Care : Increase or decrease government support for health care?- Sherrod Brown (D): Increase. "No family should ever be one emergency room visit away from financial disaster...
I refused to accept Congressional health insurance until Congress passed the Affordable Care Act." Voted to cap the cost of insulin at $35 and reduce drug costs for Medicare participants.
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Bernie Moreno (R): Mostly decrease. Opposes the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare. Said it "had zero to do with affordability."
Supports letting "the markets work" to lower costs. "We waste enormous, enormous sums of money on healthcare."
Source: Guides.vote candidate survey on 2024 Ohio Senate race
Aug 8, 2024
Frank LaRose:
No vaccine requirements; don't expand beyond Medicare
Q: HEALTHCARE: Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?A: None.
Q: What most closely matches your view on healthcare: A) Healthcare for all should be guaranteed and funded by the government with no private healthcare option. (includes "universal healthcare," "medicare for all," etc.)
B) Healthcare insurance funded by the government should be available for all who want it, along with private healthcare options. C) Medicaid and Medicare should remain available, but no other taxpayer-funded programs are necessary.
D) Taxpayer funded health care should be abolished in all forms, and Medicaid and Medicare should be defunded.
A: C
Source: AFA iVoterGuide on 2024 Ohio Senate race
Mar 19, 2024
Matt Dolan:
No vaccine mandates nor any one-size-fits-all mandates
Q: Under what circumstances should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?A: The government and schools should not impose vaccine mandates. The government should avoid creating one size fits all mandates on the backs of
employers, including mandating vaccines. Employers should have the right to choose the policies best fitted for their employees and values.
Q: What most closely matches your view: A) Healthcare for all should be guaranteed and funded by the government
with no private healthcare option. B) Healthcare insurance funded by the government should be available for all who want it, along with private healthcare options. C) Medicaid and Medicare should remain available, but no other taxpayer-funded programs
are necessary. D) Tax-payer funded health care should be abolished in all forms, and Medicaid and Medicare should be de-funded.
A: C) Medicaid and Medicare should remain available, but no other taxpayer-funded programs are necessary.
Source: AFA iVoterGuide on 2022 Ohio Senate race
May 3, 2022
Mike DeWine:
Vision screening to be provided to all K-3 students
We are very pleased to announce today the creation of the new "OhioSEE Program." It will ensure that all Ohio students in kindergarten through third grade--including those who may be home-schooled or attend private schools--will not only
get a vision screening, but they will also receive comprehensive eye exams if the screenings indicate a correction is needed. And if they do need glasses--they will get them!
Source: 2025 State of the State Address to the Ohio legislature
Mar 12, 2025
Amy Acton:
Reduce prescription drug costs; reduce insurance premiums
For example, health costs are piling up in every direction. As Governor, I will use the power of the state to reduce prescription drug costs, crack down on higher costs due to pharmacy benefit managers, demand more transparency from hospitals
and insurance companies to lower costs, reduce insurance premiums, stop surprise sky-high bills, and create partnerships to erase oppressive medical debt that is holding back--and often bankrupting so many Ohioans.
Source: 2026 Ohio Governor campaign website ActonForGovernor.com
Dec 31, 2025
Amy Acton:
I will fight against cut to life-saving Medicaid
We must ensure that every Ohioan has access to basic medical care that doesn't require them to drive hours away to get it. We have to reduce the cost of health care by adopting best practices and using the power of the state to ensure that Ohio
families don't go bankrupt getting the medical care they need. Finally, with more than three million Ohioans on Medicaid, I will fight against cuts to this life-saving program, whether they're coming from Columbus or Congress.
Source: 2026 Ohio Governor campaign website ActonForGovernor.com
Dec 31, 2025
Jon Husted:
Get savings by removing illegal immigrants from Medicaid
[On immigrant benefits]: "We hope more people will go to work and not be on government benefits, but be on private insurance," he said. "We hope that will create some savings. It is also no longer going to fund higher rates for illegal immigrants who
are getting into this country, who are not citizens, who are taking more and more of the share of the Medicaid dollars that we spend. That's where any cost savings we're going to get are largely going to come from."
Source: ABC6 "On Your Side" on 2026 Ohio Senate race
Jul 2, 2025
Sherrod Brown:
Worried about Ohioans losing health insurance coverage
Brown singled out Husted's vote for the Trump-backed "big, beautiful bill," a megabill that has come under fire for its cuts to Medicaid and other federal safety net programs. Brown said he's specifically worried about
Ohioans losing health insurance coverage in a state where, more than a decade ago, a Republican governor pushed through Medicaid expansion.
Source: NBC News on 2026 Ohio Senate race
Aug 18, 2025
Page last updated: Feb 07, 2026