Statement from Sen. Pres. Harris and State Rep Coughlin on Governor's Exec. Order

COLUMBUS – Senate President Bill Harris (R-Ashland) and Chairman of the Senate Health, Human Services & Aging Committee Kevin Coughlin (R-Cuyahoga Falls) today called the Governor’s Executive Order to allow independent home care providers to collectively bargain a huge step back in the effort reduce the cost of health care and rein in government spending.

The legislators noted that as part of the state’s General Operating Budget, in unprecedented bipartisan agreement, the Administration and the General Assembly promoted expanded access to home health care services through the PASSPORT program as a win-win – seniors get quality care in the comforts of their own homes and the state provides that care in the most cost effective way to Ohio taxpayers.

“The PASSPORT program is the best example of a true success story in state government, where we’ve been able to keep health care costs down, while providing quality services,” Harris said. “The Executive Order issued today puts this kind of progress in jeopardy. Collective bargaining will drive up costs and decrease the state’s buying power without any tangible proof that quality will be improved for those served.”

Coughlin noted that the Governor’s Executive Order was issued at a time when the health committees of the Ohio House and Senate are set to begin a series of regional hearings on how to reduce the cost of health care. The legislators expressed their disappointment that instead of joining with leaders in the General Assembly to explore constructive ways to reverse the crippling rise of health care costs to the benefit of all Ohio families and small businesses, the Governor has chosen to use his authority to be part of a national effort by the Service Employees International Union to increase its ranks, with a stated goal of bolstering its political power, especially in its efforts to push for universal health care.

"The Governor's Executive Order today is a step in the wrong direction for all Ohioans in need of health care,” Coughlin said. “While Republicans in the House and Senate are working to make health care accessible and affordable, the Governor is making concessions to organized labor that will increase the cost of care."

“I have worked well with this Governor to make progress on our shared goals to move Ohio forward, including expanding access to quality health care in ways that do not dramatically drive up costs to taxpayers, but I fear this is less about serving people and more about increasing union membership,” Harris said. “Any collectively-bargained concessions that come as a result of this decision will be closely scrutinized by the Senate for whether they provide tangible benefits to patients and whether they drive up overall cost to state government.”