Ohio governor nears decision on Medicaid expansion - WICU12/WSEE Erie, PA News, Sports, Weather and Events

Ohio governor nears decision on Medicaid expansion

OLEDO, Ohio (AP) - A decision about whether to give health care to more low-income Ohioans through Medicaid is one of the biggest questions facing the governor and state lawmakers this year.

Gov. John Kasich will announce Monday whether he supports expanding the government-funded Medicaid program.

Making Medicaid more available is a key element under President Barack Obama's health care overhaul.

But it's up to states to decide whether they want to go along with the Medicaid expansion.

Supporters say it will cut down on the costs passed on to those with health insurance and hospitals that treat the uninsured.

Opponents argue that it will only add more to the national debt and that the costs to Ohio will be greater than predicted.