NW Ohio Times

State Representative James Hoops, a Republican from Napoleon, has expressed his support for Senate Concurrent Resolution 5. The resolution calls on President Trump to back the Ohio Department of Medicaid's request to introduce work requirements for recipients of Medicaid expansion.

"This resolution is a step in the right direction for Medicaid reform and I feel the Department of Medicaid in Ohio is better off for this," stated Representative Hoops.

The Ohio Department of Medicaid submitted this request to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in February. If approved, starting January 1, 2026, individuals wishing to enroll in Medicaid Group VIII services will need to meet at least one of several criteria: be at least fifty-five years old, employed, enrolled in school or an occupational training program, participating in an alcohol and drug addiction treatment program, or have intensive physical health care needs or serious mental illness.

The initiative aims to encourage employment and education, potentially reducing dependency on Medicaid services over time. This approach could also help fill job vacancies and contribute to economic prosperity in Ohio.

Currently, there are 144,792 available jobs in Ohio with 93,389 offering salaries over $50,000.

With the resolution now adopted by the state legislature, the Ohio Department of Medicaid is awaiting a decision from the federal government regarding their waiver request.