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State Considers Delaying Independent Health-worker Proposal

Gov. John Kasich's administration says it's open to delaying a proposal that has sparked hours of legislative testimony from individuals with disabilities who fear it could limit their choice in picking the workers who tend to their basic needs at home.
 
The proposal in Kasich's two-year budget would shift Ohio away from directly paying independent health aides, nurses or other providers. By July 2019, Ohio Medicaid would no longer accept billings submitted by non-agency providers, except in certain circumstances.
 
The move would impact more than 13,000 independent workers who help care for about 16,000 individuals.
 
The governor's Office of Health Transformation said Friday it would consider extending the transition period to 2021.
 
John Martin, director of Ohio's developmental disabilities agency, says officials want input from providers and others.