Enact the Medicaid Bridge to Independence Act

hb930_00_IN

As Introduced

136th
General Assembly

Regular
Session
H. B. No. 930

2025-2026

Representative Williams

To
enact section 5166.38 of the Revised Code
to
establish an orientation program for individuals newly enrolled in
the Medicaid program and to designate this act the Medicaid Bridge to
Independence Act.

BE
IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF OHIO:

Section
1.
That
section 5166.38 of the Revised Code be enacted to read as follows:

Sec.
5166.38.
(A)
The medicaid director shall establish a medicaid waiver component in
accordance with this section under which medicaid recipients must
complete an orientation program after enrolling in the medicaid
program.

(B)
Under the waiver component, the department of medicaid shall
establish an orientation program that all individuals must complete
upon initial enrollment in the medicaid program as a condition of
continued participation in the program. In its waiver application,
the department shall make provision for individuals who are enrolled
in the medicaid program on the effective date of this section to
complete the orientation program.

The
orientation program shall be designed to inform and empower medicaid
recipients and, at a minimum, include all of the following topics:

(1)
Financial literacy and management, budgeting fundamentals, banking
access and savings strategies, understanding debt and financial
planning, credit education including explanations of credit scores
and reports and how to build and repair credit, and avoidance of
predatory lending practices;

(2)
Workforce development and employment resources, an overview of state
and local job training programs, apprenticeships and career pathways,
and coordination with workforce agencies and employers;

(3)
Available behavioral and mental health services, mental health
counseling services, substance use disorder treatment programs,
crisis intervention and stabilization services, emergency and crisis
resources, information on behavioral health emergency response
systems, suicide prevention resources, and community-based crisis
hotlines and response units;

(4)
Health system navigation, including how to access primary care
services, the importance of preventive care, and appropriate use of
emergency services.

(C)(1)
The department may deliver the orientation program through multiple
platforms including in-person sessions, online modules, hybrid
formats, and partnerships with community-based organizations.

(2)
The department shall ensure that orientation program materials are
accessible for individuals with disabilities, are available in
multiple languages, and provide for reasonable accommodations that
ensure access for individuals with transportation or childcare
barriers.

(D)(1)
The department shall establish flexible timelines under which an
individual may complete the orientation program. No individual shall
be denied immediate eligibility for the medicaid program or access to
medically necessary services while they are completing the
orientation program.

(2)
At its discretion, the department may waive the requirement that an
individual complete the orientation program if the department
determines the individual's medical condition or other factors do not
facilitate completion of the program.

(E)
The department shall collect data concerning all of the following
about individuals who complete the orientation program established
under this section:

(1)
Participation rates;

(2)
Employment outcomes;

(3)
Utilization of behavioral health services;

(4)
Reduction in emergency room utilization.

(F)
The department shall prepare and submit a report to the general
assembly in accordance with section 101.68 of the Revised Code
concerning the orientation program. The report shall include the data
collected by the department under division (E) of this section.
Additionally, the report shall examine the effectiveness of the
orientation program, the cost savings or cost neutrality of the
orientation program, and any recommendations for expanding or
modifying the orientation program.

(G)
The medicaid director shall adopt rules in accordance with Chapter
119. of the Revised Code to implement this section.

(H)(1)
In enacting this section, the general assembly makes the following
findings:

(a)
The Medicaid program provides critical health coverage to vulnerable
populations but does not consistently equip recipients with the tools
necessary to achieve long-term economic independence.

(b)
Many medicaid recipients are unaware of available workforce
development programs, financial literacy resources, and behavioral
health services.

(c)
Early engagement and education at the point of enrollment can improve
health outcomes, reduce dependency, and promote upward mobility.

(2)
In enacting this section, it is the intent of the general assembly to
transition public assistance from a passive benefit to an active
pathway towards self-sufficiency.

Section
2.
This
act shall be known as the Medicaid Bridge to Independence Act.