Tiffin Mercy Hospital, among others in Ohio, could be at risk for closure

TIFFIN, OH (TiffinOhio.net News) — This week oral arguments began at a federal court for Texas v. United States, the lawsuit to throw out the entire Affordable Care Act as unconstitutional. If the Trump administration succeeds in overturning the health care law, it would result in:

• Nearly five million Ohioans with pre-existing conditions losing protections;
• More than half a million Ohioans who are covered under the Medicaid expansion losing their health coverage;
• As many as one-fourth of Ohio’s hospitals at risk for closure.

Ohio Democrats spoke out at events in Springfield, Zanesville, Steubenville, Toledo and Columbus to highlight what’s at stake.

“Donald Trump has broken his health care promises, and the people of Ohio are already paying the price. He promised he would bring the cost of health care down, but his toxic agenda has actually caused premiums to go up by hundreds of dollars for Ohioans and the state’s uninsured rate to go up,” Ohio Democratic Party Chairman David Pepper said.

Now, Democrats say Trump is putting even more Ohioans’ health care and jobs at risk with this lawsuit.

“The 2020 election is going to be about health care — Trump wants to take away coverage and protections from millions of Ohioans, while Democrats are united in fighting to protect and strengthen our health care law, lower health care costs and improve quality,” Pepper continued.

If the Trump administration succeeds in overturning the health care law, key support for rural hospitals would disappear, leaving our hospitals on the hook for $1.9 billion more in uncompensated care costs.

Hospitals are huge economic engines and employers in many counties across the state, including here. In Seneca County, our hospital is a critical part of our health care safety net and a big employer. If we lose Tiffin Mercy Hospital, we lose jobs and access to emergency care, maternity care, cardiac care and so much more.