Your AARP: Ohio

October 2009

Reforms under way — The three-year rollout of Ohio's health reform plan is expected to make it possible for more than 100,000 uninsured state residents to find affordable coverage. Gov. Ted Strickland, D, proposed the plan in his budget, and lawmakers approved it in July.

For Ohioans with preexisting conditions, premiums set during open enrollment will be capped at twice the plan's base rate by 2010 and 150 percent of the base rate by 2012. Parents with employer-sponsored insurance will be able to enroll their adult children up to age 28 on policies that renew on or after July 1, 2010. As of January 2011, it will be easier for workers in small businesses to use pretax dollars to pay for health insurance.

AARP Ohio lobbied for six months for these changes, coordinating thousands of volunteers who e-mailed or spoke with their legislators to push for the measures.

July-August 2009

Get healthy — AARP Ohio is planning a variety of summer and fall events to promote better health practices for members and increase their awareness of important health reform issues. In August, members can receive free health screenings during the AARP/Walgreens Wellness Tour, which stops at the Ohio State Fair from Aug. 1 to 3. Screenings include cholesterol, blood pressure, bone density, glucose, waist circumference and body mass index.

AARP will also host public forums, teleconferences and town hall meetings through the fall to discuss health reform and allow members to ask experts and policymakers questions. For more information, go to www.aarp.org/oh. To ask your lawmakers to support affordable health care, go to healthactionnow.org.

June 2009

Closing gaps — AARP Ohio is part of a coalition seeking to reform health insurance regulations so people with chronic medical problems and preexisting conditions cannot be denied coverage. The proposed budget, now before the state Senate, includes an option to reduce rates through open enrollment reform. Currently, insurers may deny coverage to those with preexisting conditions, issue policies that exclude coverage for some treatments, or charge steep premiums.

"Many Ohioans, especially those ages 50 to 64, are priced out of the health insurance market and have nowhere else to go," says Ron Bridges, government affairs director for AARP Ohio.

To learn more, visit www.healthcarereform.ohio.gov. To urge your state senator to support open enrollment reform, call 1-888-844-5009 toll-free or visit www.senate.state.oh.us/senators/by_name.html.

May 2009

Not enough nurses — The national nursing shortage is exacerbated in Ohio by restricted admission to programs awarding bachelor's or associate degrees in nursing and training students to become registered nurses. The Center for Championing Nursing in America—a joint initiative of AARP, the AARP Foundation and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation—is working with the Ohio Network for Nursing Workforce to develop a plan to fix this problem.

"Ohio's need for nurses is increasing as our population ages," says Joan Lawrence, a member of AARP Ohio's Executive Council. "The center aims to make a real difference in the lives of those who need skilled care and those seeking fulfilling careers in nursing."

To keep up to date on the issue, go to www.championnursing.org.

April 2009

Balancing act — AARP supports measures in Gov. Ted Strickland's, D, proposed budget that could make health care more affordable and strengthen Ohio's long-term care system.

The governor aims to extend coverage for jobless workers from six to 12 months, allow all workers to buy insurance with pretax dollars, make insurance rates easier to understand, cap premiums during open enrollment and create a health care advisory council.

In addition, the budget would "rebalance" Medicaid funds, using dollars flagged for long-term care to provide a broader array of choices. Currently 75 percent of those funds go to nursing home care. "The governor's plan would make it easier for Ohioans to age in their own homes and communities," says Jane Taylor, AARP state director.