Taxpayer-funded universal health care proposed in Ohio Senate

A Democratic plan before the Ohio Senate would raise business and income taxes to establish universal health care throughout the state.

The legislation would give every Ohioan access to comprehensive health care without a co-payment or deductible and coverage could not be denied for preexisting conditions.

"Health care expenses continue to be one of Ohio's most devastating financial issues, affecting our populations at its most vulnerable times," said Sen. Paul Hicks-Hudson, D-Toledo. “No one deserves to go without health care services due to financial hardships. This legislation has the power to profoundly benefit the lives of our constituents and people across Ohio."

According to the Health Policy Institute of Ohio, the state ranked 44th overall in health value for residents and 40th in out-of-pocket health care spending.

An analysis of Senate Bill 177, which sits in the Senate Insurance Committee, from the Ohio Legislative Service Commission does not include a total cost, but it does outline how the state would pay to cover all Ohioans and those working in the state but living out-of-state.

The bill would create the Ohio Health Care Fund, which the legislation says would be filled by seeking money from the federal government and other state and local government sources programs.

It also would use a tax payroll tax paid by employers of no more than 3.85% of payroll, up to a 3% tax on business gross receipts and a 6.2% income tax increase. Also, those making more than $200,000 annually in gross income would pay an additional 5% income tax.

“We hear about people needing to choose between their insulin and rent, choosing between chemo and their house, or whether they will have their needed surgery or be able to feed their families,” said Sen. Bill DeMora, D-Columbus. “Senate Bill 177 will make these stories a thing of the past for all Ohioans.”

The next Senate Insurance Committee has yet to be announced.