Sep 15, 2025 - Health

Report: Ohio lawmakers quietly nixed Medicaid oversight panel

Sam Allard

Illustration of a stethoscope forming a "no" symbol — Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios

Ohio's latest budget included a provision inserted at the eleventh hour dissolving a legislative panel that had been investigating the state's multibillion-dollar Medicaid contracts, according to Bloomberg Law.

The big picture: Medicaid covers around 3 million Ohioans and represented $32 billion in spending during FY23.

Catch up quick: The Joint Medicaid Oversight Committee (JMOC) had been pressing Ohio Medicaid officials over delayed payments to hospitals, nursing homes, and other providers.

They were also looking closely into claims contractor Gainwell Technologies LLC.

The intrigue: Legislators inserted the provision to dissolve JMOC around 2am on June 25, hours before the budget vote, according to members of the panel that Bloomberg interviewed.

Zoom out: Gainwell, a company which processes Medicaid claims in two-thirds of U.S. states, has faced mounting complaints in Ohio.

Among the gripes: erroneous disenrollments, massive billing errors and the offshoring of work to India.

What they're saying: Oversight will be better handled by newer House and Senate Medicaid committees, GOP legislative spokesperson Olivia Wile told Bloomberg Law.

Yes, but: Former JMOC leaders and provider advocates said the panel was uniquely positioned to track long-term issues in a system with growing costs and persistent glitches.

Go deeper: Medicaid contractor Gainwell spared probe by late-night stealth

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Report: Ohio lawmakers quietly nixed Medicaid oversight panel

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