Trumball News

Majority Whip Nick Santucci, representing Niles, has cast his vote in favor of Senate Concurrent Resolution 5. This resolution calls on President Trump to implement work requirements for those receiving Medicaid expansion benefits.

Santucci expressed his support by stating, “I’m proud to support this resolution urging President Trump to implement work requirements for Medicaid expansion recipients. The best opportunity we can offer Ohioans is a path to meaningful employment—empowering individuals to lift themselves up and break free from the cycle of poverty. This is a commonsense policy that affirms the dignity of work and helps connect people with opportunity. I’m grateful to my colleagues in the legislature for advancing this important resolution.”

The request for these changes was submitted by the Ohio Department of Medicaid to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services earlier this year in February.

If approved, starting January 1, 2026, individuals seeking enrollment in Medicaid Group VIII services must meet at least one of several criteria: being at least fifty-five years old, employed, enrolled in school or an occupational training program, participating in an alcohol and drug addiction treatment program, or having intensive physical health care needs or serious mental illness.

The proposed policy aims to encourage employment and education while reducing dependency on Medicaid services over time. It is also expected to help fill job vacancies and contribute to the prosperity of Ohio residents.

Currently, there are 144,792 job openings in Ohio, with 93,389 offering salaries above $50,000.

With the resolution now adopted by the state legislature, the Ohio Department of Medicaid awaits a decision from federal authorities regarding approval or denial of their waiver request.