The landmark Supreme Court decision of summer 2012 left it up to the states to either “opt in” or “opt out” of Medicaid expansion, a major component of the Affordable Care Act that extends Medicaid coverage to individuals up to 138% of the Federa poverty level. Recognizing the potential benefits of Medicaid expansion, the Mt. Sinai Health Care Foundation contacted
Greater Cleveland Congregations (GCC), a non-partisan coalition of faith communities and partner organizations in Cuyahoga County working together to build power for social justice, and helped create and fund what became the Northeast Ohio Medicaid Expansion Coalition. In addition, the Foundation co-funded the Ohio Medicaid Expansion Study, a partnership between the Health Policy Institute of Ohio (HPIO), the Ohio State University, Regional Economic Models, Inc. (REMI), and the Urban Institute. Through efforts from the Mt. Sinai Foundation in bringing together key stakeholders, the Plain Dealer also endorsed Medicaid expansion.