October 29, 2009

The Honorable Ted Strickland

Governor, State of Ohio
Ohio Statehouse
Columbus, Ohio 43215

Dear Governor Strickland:

Our nation is facing unprecedented times, and decisions made in Washington will have a lasting
economic impact on the citizens of Ohio. During these days of difficult economic hardships and record
unemployment, it is vital that as state leaders we address the most pressing concerns of all Ohioans and
small businesses to help move this state in the right direction.

The federal government‟s health care proposal is a growing concern for Ohio House Republicans
because of the detrimental economic consequences it will have on the quality of life in our great state.
While our state budget continues to face ongoing revenue problems, accepting additional spending
mandates from Washington will punish Ohio‟s families and push even more jobs out of our state.

It is our belief that by supporting this health care overhaul, we will be accepting higher insurance rates,
increased government spending and more government control. In effect, we will be taking away every
Ohioan‟s choice to have the personal freedom of choosing the health care coverage that most
appropriately fits their needs. Furthermore, the federal health care plan will severely limit small
businesses from the flexibility to provide the most appropriate health coverage for their employees.

According to the Columbus Dispatch (“Senate health-care bill to have „public option,‟” 10/27/09), you
stated: “If the final bill has a public option, and I hope it does, I will certainly resist efforts to have Ohio
opt out of that. As governor, I would encourage my fellow legislators not to take such action.” These are
troubling statements that cannot responsibly be financially supported, and we urge you to reconsider
your recommendation for Congress‟s health care plan. A number of other governors across the country
have spoken against the proposal, because they recognize the devastating results it would have on the
residents of their states. Currently, 17 governors have already voiced their opposition because the plan
does not respect the states‟ individual budget challenges, and House Republicans urge you to do the
same.

The U.S. Senate‟s version of the health care bill would add nearly 800,000 Ohio residents to the state‟s
Medicaid roll. An increase in enrollment of this magnitude would cause Medicaid costs and state taxes
to certainly skyrocket. The National Conference of State Legislatures has estimated that a Washington-
controlled system would cost Ohio‟s families $922 million of their own tax dollars during the first five
years.

In fact, although the states would initially receive startup money from the federal government to institute
the plan, the financial support would eventually have to be paid back over time by the state. As a result,
every year Ohio‟s taxpayers would most likely be handed a $1.2 billion bill, as well as higher insurance
rates for their families. Keeping in mind that Ohio is already facing a severe budget shortfall, we would
not be acting responsibly by adding to our growing budget deficit through this proposal.
This federal health care legislation would be extremely damaging to Ohio‟s long-term success and
budget sustainability. Ohio‟s Medicaid expenditures are already 40 percent higher than the national
average and consume 37 percent of our state budget. While protecting the well-being of Ohio‟s low-
income families, elderly and people with disabilities, we must work to rein in costs to ensure that the
program operates in an efficient, cost-effective manner. Adopting Washington‟s health care mandates in
Ohio will further increase Medicaid‟s share of the state operating budget and almost certainly guarantee
tax increases on hardworking Ohioans and small businesses.

With Ohio facing nearly a $900 million budget deficit, it would be irresponsible and shortsighted to
stick the taxpayers with another $922 million in costs. We cannot afford to approach these unstable
times by putting Ohio‟s taxpayers, seniors and children at risk. As a caucus, we urge you to oppose the
health care reform bill for the benefit of our state and its people.

Sincerely,

William G. Batchelder
Republican Leader
Ohio House of Representatives

John Adams Richard Adams Ron Amstutz

House District 78 House District 79 House District 3

Kevin Bacon Nan Baker Troy Balderson

House District 21 House District 16 House District 94

Pete A. Beck Terry Blair Louis W. Blessing Jr.

House District 67 House District 38 House District 29
 Terry Boose Danny R. Bubp Dave Burke
House District 58 House District 88 House District 83

Courtney E. Combs David T. Daniels Tim Derickson

House District 54 House District 86 House District 53

Randy Gardner Bruce Goodwin

Clyde Evans
House District 6 House District 74
House District 87

Cheryl Grossman
Robert Hackett Dave Hall
House District 23
House District 84 House District 97

Cliff Hite Jay Hottinger Matt Huffman

House District 76 House District 71 House District 4

Kris Jordan Ron Maag Josh Mandel

House District 2 House District 35 House District 17

Jarrod B. Martin Jeffrey McClain Robert Mecklenborg

House District 70 House District 82 House District 30
 Seth Morgan Margaret Ann Ruhl Barbara R. Sears
House District 36 House District 90 House District 46

Todd Snitchler Peter Stautberg Gerald L. Stebelton

House District 50 House District 34 House District 5

Joseph Uecker Lynn R. Wachtmann Jeff Wagner

House District 66 House District 75 House District 81

Jim Zehringer
House District 77