Governor Strickland Chooses Health Care Reform Group

Ohio was chosen to participate in a program aimed at helping states overhaul their health care systems. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s State Coverage Initiatives program selected Ohio as one of 14 states to participate in its 2007 Coverage Institute, the Governor’s Office announced. The SCI program works with states to develop policies that expand health care access for their entire uninsured population by expanding public programs and private sector reforms.

Ohio’s SCI team members include: Rep. Jim Raussen (R-Cincinnati); Rep. Sandra Williams (D-Cleveland); Sen. Tom Niehaus (R-New Richmond); Sen. Shirley Smith (D-Cleveland); Ohio Medicaid Director Cristal Thomas; Janetta King, policy director for Gov. Strickland; Office of Healthy Ohio Director Cynthia Burnell; Doug Anderson, interim assistant director of health coverage policy at the Department of Insurance; Health Policy Institute of Ohio President William Hayes; Legal Aid Society of Southwest Ohio Senior Attorney Col Owens; John Charles Burrant, health systems division director of the Service Employees International Union District 1199; and Nick Lashutka, director of external relations for the Ohio Business Roundtable.

An initial meeting in late September or early October will bring together the Ohio team with SCI staff, national experts and technical assistants to discuss reform plans, the Governor’s Office said. SCI will also provide background research, on-site consultant visits, telephone consultations and other means of follow-up support in an on-going basis without additional costs.