Ohio’s treasurer bucks GOP governor on Medicaid

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Ohio’s state treasurer is encouraging fellow Republicans in the Legislature to reject Gov. John Kasich’s proposed expansion of Medicaid.

In a letter sent Monday, Treasurer Josh Mandel urged legislative leaders to oppose Kasich’s plan. The GOP governor has framed the move as recapturing Ohioans’ tax dollars from the federal government.

Washington will pay the entire cost of the expansion for the first three years, gradually phasing down to 90 percent — still well above the state’s current level of 64 percent.

Mandel warned state leaders that “there is no free money,” and Ohio would be stuck with its long-term effects.

Kasich incorporated Medicaid expansion into his two-year state budget proposal.

Many Republicans are averse to President Barack Obama’s signature health care law and resistant to expanding government programs.