Ohio Medicaid cuts could strip thousands of refugees and vulnerable immigrants of coverage on Oct. 1

On Oct. 1, Ohio will deem thousands of refugees, asylees, parolees and certain survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking ineligible for Medicaid, despite their lawful presence in the United States. The state agency announced a minimum loss of 3,500 full benefits and warned that an additional 3,000 could face restrictions, but county data suggest the total may be far higher, with estimates ranging from 14,500 to 18,000 across four large counties.

Franklin County alone expects up to 12,000 losses, while Cuyahoga County reported 3,500 notices already sent. This eligibility shift is an early consequence of Medicaid cuts embedded in a federal bill projected to reduce federal Medicaid spending by $33 billion over the next decade, primarily through future work-requirement rules. Federal estimates from the Congressional Budget Office anticipate about 100,000 immigrants nationwide could lose coverage by 2034, saving $6.2 billion.

Officials cited difficulties in tracking immigration status and criticized the policy as “incredibly cruel,” noting that many affected individuals work, pay taxes, and may soon qualify for green cards. The loss of coverage could increase uninsured care costs and destabilize the health of already vulnerable communities.