Healthcare Timeline
1921
Following an outbreak of Polio, Ohio is the first state to enact a statewide provision of services for disabled children (BCMH). These services are later augmented by federal funds under Title V of the Social Security Act.
1939
The Federal Security Agency - later the Department of Health and Human Services is formed. The Department of Health and Human Services carries out a wide range of public welfare functions, including the provision of public healthcare through the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
1956
The Dependents Medical Care Act is enacted, providing federal health insurance for all armed forces dependents and creating the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services.
1972
Supplemental Security Income reform enacted through amendments to the Social Security Act, providing a federalized source of income to low-income, disabled, and aged U.S. citizens. These amendments allow states to link SSI and Medicaid eligibility determination, though Ohio has been one of the few states which has chosen to opt out of this streamlined determination.
1996
The Personal Responsibility & Work Opportunity Act makes major reforms to the welfare system, including the separation of eligibility for Medicaid and welfare assistance.
2006
Medicare Part D, which offers a supplemental prescription drug plan for Medicare enrollees and expands prescription drug coverage under the Medicare program, goes into effect.
2014
Ohio expands Medicaid coverage, effective January 1, 2014, to all individuals with family income at or below 138% of the FPL in line with eligibility changes enacted under the Affordable Care Act. This has resulted in Medicaid coverage for over 600,000 Ohioans through November 2015.
1935
Congress passes the Social Security Act, providing funds for maternal and child health services. The Social Security Act has evolved and been amended numerous times since its passage to expand and alter the nation's healthcare system.
1954
Congress passes the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, which among its tax code revisions excludes employer-sponsored insurance contributions from taxable income. This exemption results in 75% coverage of the population by 1958.
1965
President Lyndon Johnson signs into law amendments to the Social Security Act creating the Medicare and Medicaid programs. These programs provide health insurance to low-income, disabled, and elderly U.S. citizens.
1981
The Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981 makes major changes to the Medicaid program, including ending Medicare-Medicaid parity in order for states to pay nursing homes and hospitals adequately, allowing states to mandate enrollment in managed care plans for certain Medicaid groups, and covering long-term care in community and home-based settings in order to avoid institutionalization.
2000
Ohio expands Medicaid coverage to children through age 18 in families with income up to 200% FPL under the State Children's Health Insurance Program (S-CHIP) passed by Congress in 1997. S-CHIP is subsequently reauthorized by Congress in 2007 and expanded in 2009, though Ohio's S-CHIP eligibility guidelines have remained the same since 2000.
2010
President Obama signs the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. The ACA makes major reforms to the U.S. healthcare system (private and public), including mandatory health coverage by 2014, the optional expansion of state Medicaid coverage, and the establishment of federal and state insurance exchanges on which to purchase private health insurance coverage.
