09/10/2026

State Leaders Discuss Medicaid Oversight and Health Policy Priorities

State lawmakers and health policy leaders discussed Medicaid oversight, health care costs, artificial intelligence and other potential legislative priorities during the Ohio Chamber of Commerce’s Healthcare Transformation Summit. Attorney General Andy Wilson, Ohio Department of Medicaid Director Scott Partika and Rep. Mike Dovilla, R-Berea, said policymakers should allow recently enacted Senate Bill 315 to take effect before considering additional changes to address Medicaid waste, fraud and abuse. The law, signed earlier this year, will provide new tools to combat Medicaid fraud and misspending when it takes effect Oct. 6. Panelists also emphasized balancing program integrity efforts with avoiding unnecessary administrative burdens on legitimate providers and Medicaid recipients.

A separate panel featuring Senate Health Committee Chair Steve Huffman, House Health Committee Chair Jean Schmidt, House Insurance Committee Chair Brian Lampton and Senate Majority Whip George Lang discussed potential lame-duck and future legislative priorities, including insurance regulations, health care coverage mandates, rural health care, artificial intelligence and health care workforce scope of practice. Lawmakers generally emphasized maintaining human oversight when technology is used in decisions affecting patient care or insurance coverage, an issue also reflected in House Bill 579. Potential workforce changes included expanded roles for nurse practitioners and other health professionals; House Bill 449 addresses related changes for advanced practice registered nurses. Several specific bills were identified as possible areas of lame-duck activity, while broader health policy priorities could carry into the next General Assembly.