Ohio lags most states in planning for health-care overhaul

Ohio lags most states in planning for health-care overhaul

Associated Press

WASHINGTON

An Associated Press analysis of states’ progress in planning for coverage under the federal health-care overhaul shows Ohio is among 20 states lagging behind.

The uneven progress could have consequences, including disparities and delays among states in carrying out an expansion of health insurance.

Thirteen states have adopted a plan. Seventeen more states are making headway, but it’s not clear all will succeed.

The 20 states lagging behind account for the biggest share of the uninsured — 42 percent.

Those lagging states include four with arguably the most to gain: Ohio, Texas, Florida and Georgia. The nonpartisan Urban Institute estimates those states together would add more than 7 million people to the insurance rolls, reducing the annual burden of charity care by $10.7 billion.