OH SB137

Establishes the Ohio Health Care Plan to provide universal, affordable health care coverage to all Ohio residents and individuals employed in Ohio, administered by a newly created Ohio Health Care Agency under direction of the Ohio Health Care Board.

Creates a 15-member Ohio Health Care Board consisting of the Director of Health plus 14 members elected by seven regional health advisory committees, with state divided into geographic regions for representation and governance purposes.

Provides comprehensive health benefits including inpatient/outpatient care, emergency services, prescription drugs, mental health services, dental care, vision care, hearing care, and home health services with no copayments or point-of-service charges to participants.

Establishes funding mechanisms through employer payroll taxes (up to 3.85% in year one), business gross receipts taxes (up to 3%), and additional income taxes on individuals, plus federal funds from Medicare, Medicaid, and CHIP programs through federal waivers.

Requires development of separate budgets for system operations, provider payments, capital investments, purchasing, and research/innovation, with administrative costs limited to 5% of the system budget and mechanisms for cost control while protecting emergency and medically necessary care.