What's Up With Health Care?

Purpose

This conversation aims to identify solutions and actions that people can take regarding the future of health care, which polling shows has become second only to the economy in terms of national concern.

Process

Table conversations so that all have an opportunity to be heard, table reports, prioritization of shared values, development of action lists and meet new people.

Why here and now?

The federal government in July enacted significant changes to health-care programs.

People in Ohio are particularly vulnerable to the health-care system. Our state has been in economic distress, if not decline, since 2001 as our household income plunged far below the national rate. We tend to be less healthy, are falling behind in education and our population is disproportionately old.

Ohio is:

• 20th nationally for percentage of people on Medicare. 2.5 million people, or 22 percent.
• 18th in the nation for percentage of people on Medicaid. 3.1 million, or 26 percent.
• One in 10 Ohioans has enrolled in the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) at least once in the last 10 years. A record 477,000 currently are enrolled.

In Akron and Green, ACA participants are reporting that monthly premiums for some have tripled for 2026. For retirees who buy supplemental Medicare insurance, some report cost increases of 25 percent. Of the Ohioans on Medicaid, 72 percent are working for low wages and must keep and routinely file paperwork online to prove that they qualify for health care. Nearly 3,000 Green residents participate in Medicaid.

Event sponsor: Social Principles Committee, Greensburg United Methodist Church. 330-896-1936

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Host or Publisher Greensburg United Methodist Church