Health Care Compact (HB 227) Passes out of OH House Committee

From State Rep. Wes Retherford --

Health Care Compact Bill Passes From Committee, Awaits Vote In House

Proposal will give Ohio more control over costs and health care outcomes

April 02, 2014

Columbus - State Representative Wes Retherford (R-Hamilton) has announced that House Bill 227—legislation that would enter Ohio into a multi-state health care compact—has passed from the House State and Local Government Committee.

A multi-state health care compact would allow Ohio to have full control over the federal health care dollars spent within the state, which in Ohio alone would equate to $35 billion annually. 

Additionally, states within the compact have the authority to craft their own health care systems and regulations to best suit their individual needs, rather than relying on centralized control by the federal government.

“In terms of health care, I do not believe that the current ‘one size fits all’ ideology used by the federal government works,” said Rep. Retherford, who jointly sponsored House Bill 227 with State Representative Terry Boose (R-Norwalk). “Instead, I think that each state deserves to decide what is needed. Ohio knows what’s best for Ohioans. That is the bottom line and that is what we are trying to do with this bill.”

Eight states have passed health care compact legislation. The compact would go into effect with the approval of the U.S. Congress.

House Bill 227 now awaits a vote by the full House.