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HB 930

Enact the Medicaid Bridge to Independence Act

136th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Josh Williams

Ohio Medicaid enrollees must complete a comprehensive orientation on financial literacy, workforce development, behavioral health, and health system navigation to maintain eligibil

Referred to committee
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Bill Summary · HB 930

Summary of HB 930 (136th General Assembly) – Medicaid Bridge to Independence Act

Purpose and intent

  • Establish a Medicaid waiver component requiring an orientation program for individuals newly enrolled in Ohio’s Medicaid program.
  • Rebrand and structure the program as a pathway from public assistance toward long-term economic independence.
  • Aims to improve health outcomes and self-sufficiency by pairing health coverage with education on financial literacy, workforce development, behavioral health resources, and health system navigation.

Key provisions and changes

  1. New orientation requirement (5166.38)

    • The Medicaid director must create a waiver component that requires all Medicaid enrollees to complete an orientation program after enrollment as a condition of continued participation.
    • The orientation is required for individuals enrolled on or after the effective date; the department must provide a mechanism for those already enrolled to complete it.

  2. Content of the orientation program

    • The program must cover at minimum:
      • Financial literacy and management: budgeting, banking access, savings, debt planning, credit education (scores/reports), and avoiding predatory lending.
      • Workforce development: overview of state/local job training, apprenticeships, career pathways, and coordination with workforce agencies and employers.
      • Behavioral and mental health services: counseling, substance use treatment, crisis services, emergency resources, crisis hotlines.
      • Health system navigation: accessing primary care, preventive care, and appropriate use of emergency services.

  3. Delivery and accessibility (438)

    • The department may offer the program through in-person sessions, online modules, hybrid formats, or partnerships with community organizations.
    • Materials must be accessible to people with disabilities, available in multiple languages, and include reasonable accommodations for transportation or childcare barriers.

  4. Timing and waivers (D)

    • The department must allow flexible timelines for completing the orientation.
    • Individuals shall not be denied immediate eligibility for Medicaid or access to medically necessary services while completing the orientation.
    • The department may waive the orientation requirement if medical or other factors prevent completion.

  5. Data collection and reporting (E and F)

    • The department must collect data on:
      • Participation rates
      • Employment outcomes
      • Utilization of behavioral health services
      • Reductions in emergency room use
    • A report to the General Assembly (per existing statutory schedule) must include the orientation data, analysis of effectiveness, cost savings or neutrality, and recommendations for expansion or modification.

  6. Rulemaking (G)

    • The Medicaid director must adopt rules to implement the section under Ohio Administrative Procedure Act procedures.

  7. Findings and intent (H)

    • Finds that Medicaid provides vital coverage but often lacks tools for long-term economic independence.
    • States that many recipients are unaware of available workforce, financial literacy, and behavioral health resources.
    • Argues that early enrollment education can improve health outcomes and promote upward mobility.
    • Declares the intent to transform public assistance from a passive benefit into an active path to self-sufficiency.

Who is affected

  • New Medicaid enrollees in Ohio (and, per waiver provisions, those enrolled at the time of enactment if applicable) who must complete the orientation to maintain eligibility.
  • State departments: Ohio Department of Medicaid (by administering and monitoring the orientation program), and associated partners (community organizations) that may deliver the program.
  • Potential indirect beneficiaries: Medicaid recipients who improve financial literacy, employment outcomes, mental health service utilization, and reduced emergency department visits.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • The bill creates a waiver program that must be described in the Medicaid waiver application.
  • Flexible completion timelines; no immediate denial of benefits during orientation.
  • Possible waivers for individuals unable to complete due to medical or other factors.
  • Data collection and annual or periodic reporting to the General Assembly, with analysis of effectiveness and cost impact.
  • Required rulemaking to implement the program.

Overall assessment

HB 930 seeks to couple Medicaid enrollment with an official, multi-faceted orientation focused on financial stability, workforce readiness, behavioral health support, and health system navigation. The measure emphasizes data-driven evaluation of outcomes and cost implications, with a statutory pathway to expand or modify the program based on performance.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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