Rep. Liston Calls on Gov. DeWine to Address the More Than 85,000 Ohio Children Stripped of Medicaid Coverage

COLUMBUS – State Representative Beth Liston (D-Dublin) today sent a letter requesting Governor Mike DeWine to act on addressing the recent U.S. Health and Human Services announcement that Ohio ranks as one of the top five highest ranking states for the disenrollment of children on Medicaid.

“We cannot let any more kids suffer and lose healthcare due to red tape. Our children and our families deserve better,” said Rep. Liston. 

Monday, U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra sent a letter to Governor DeWine informing him that, “children’s Medicaid and CHIP (Children’s Health Insurance Program) enrollment in your state has declined by 86,053 children or 6 percent compared to March 2023.”

The letter went on to ask Governor DeWine to halt disenrollments for children for 12 months, while Medicaid works with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to adopt policies ensuring that children remain enrolled.

Rep. Liston’s letter to Governor DeWine as well as Secretary Becerra’s letter to the governor are attached to this press release.