A new study out today says Ohio's Medicaid program is one of the most expensive in the country at providing long-term care for senior citizens because it relies too much on nursing homes.
Ohio ranks 49th in providing seniors with less-expensive, in-home care services. The study says only Mississippi's Medicaid program spends less on home care.
The Ohio Council for Home care is a trade group that commissioned the study. The group represents the interests of home health and hospice agencies.
They say if Ohio lawmakers make an upfront investment in home care programs, the savings could be as much as $900 million a year by 2030.
Kathleen Anderson is the group's executive director. She did not specify how much additional money she is seeking from lawmakers and Governor Ted Strickland, who is drafting his first budget proposal.
(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
