Tagged: Healthcare

Full episode of WYSO Weekend for March 3, 2012 including the following stories:

-Ohio Senator Portman Talks Sequestration at WPAFB, by Jerry Kenney

-Local Healthcare Providers Weigh Pros and Cons on Medicaid Expansion, by Jerry Kenney

Ohio is prepared to move forward with certain Medicaid contracts after an appellate court ruled in the state's favor in a lawsuit that had blocked officials from signing the agreements.

Amerigroup Corp. had sued the state, claiming the contract application process was flawed. The insurer was not among the top scorers.

The contract winners will provide health care services to 1.6 million Ohioans on Medicaid. The contracts provide billions in government work to the winning companies.

The Ohio House has passed a bill to require training and certification for a new group of professionals who will be available to guide consumers through the new health insurance exchange.

The measure cleared Wednesday on a 56-32 vote, and it now heads to the Senate.

These so-called health navigators will help educate consumers and small businesses about the new online markets created by the federal health care law. Through these exchanges, consumers will be able to buy individual private policies and apply for government subsidies to help pay their premiums.