Ohio to be hands-off in promoting federal health-care law
COLUMBUS (AP) — Ohio officials are taking a hands-off approach when it comes to spreading information about the federal health-care law.
No social media campaigns, marketing, advertising or outreach efforts are in the works. “We don’t have any plans to do those activities,” said Chris Brock, a spokesman for the Ohio Department of Insurance.
That means it will be left to providers, health centers, food banks and other groups to get the word out about the law to the more than 1.5 million uninsured Ohioans.
Government spending in Ohio on outreach and advertising for the health overhaul amounts to 53 cents per capita, according to state and federal data compiled by The Associated Press. That’s much lower than other states more receptive to the law. For instance, spending is $9.23 per capita in nearby West Virginia.
Consumers can get private health insurance, subsidized by the government, through the new health-insurance exchange created by the federal law. Open enrollment starts Oct. 1, and coverage takes effect in January.