H.B. No. 446 - Ohio Health Care Plan

• Establishes the Ohio Health Care Plan to provide universal, affordable health care coverage to all Ohio residents and individuals employed in the state, eliminating copayments and other out-of-pocket fees.

• Creates the Ohio Health Care Board (15 voting members) and Ohio Health Care Agency to administer the plan, with seven regional health advisory committees representing designated county regions throughout the state.

• Comprehensive benefit package includes inpatient/outpatient care, emergency services, prescription drugs, dental care, vision care, mental health services, rehabilitation, hospice, and other services with no exclusions for pre-existing conditions.

• Funding sources include federal programs (Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP), employer payroll taxes (up to 3.85%), business gross receipts taxes (up to 3%), and additional income taxes on high earners.

• All providers may participate; the board acts as single payer setting reimbursement rates through negotiation, with annual budgets for system operations, provider services, capital investments, purchasing, and research limited to specific percentages of total expenditures.