S.B. No. 253 Summary

• Establishes the Ohio Health Care Plan to provide universal, affordable health care coverage to all Ohio residents and individuals employed in the state, including homeless persons and migrant workers.

• Creates the Ohio Health Care Board (15 voting members elected through regional health advisory committees) and Ohio Health Care Agency to administer the plan, with comprehensive benefits including inpatient/outpatient care, emergency services, prescription drugs, dental care, vision care, and mental health services.

• Eliminates copayments, deductibles, and point-of-service charges for covered services and prohibits exclusions for pre-existing conditions.

• Establishes funding through employer payroll taxes (up to 3.85% in year one), business gross receipts taxes (up to 3%), and individual income taxes (6.2% on compensation above Social Security threshold and 5% on income over $200,000), plus federal funding from Medicare, Medicaid, and CHIP programs.

• Requires the board to prepare annual budgets covering system operations, provider reimbursement, capital investment, drug purchasing, and research, while implementing cost control measures that do not limit medically necessary emergency care.