ThinkProgress:
Ohio Gov. John Kasich’s “new way” of creating jobs has left something to be desired — namely, jobs. Kasich has killed projects that promised to create jobs in favor of policies that are sure to stunt job creation. Now with a state facing an overall loss of 400,000 jobs and an unemployment rate of 9 percent, Kasich’s decision to slash state funding for Medicaid left 2,800 Ohioans who help the elderly and disabled out of a job:
A separate survey of 385 Ohio nursing homes found that 2,800 jobs had been eliminated between July 1 and Sept. 1 — or soon would be — following a 6 percent budget cut to the state’s Medicaid program, the tax-funded health-insurance program for the poor and disabled.
Kasich’s cuts result from his desire to “rebalance” the amount of funding spent on Ohio seniors and the disabled. Hoping to shift towards “in-home care,” state officials say the nursing-home job loss is “not surprising.” But, as FamiliesUSA notes, funding Medicaid is a sure-fire way to ensure economic growth and job creation.....
How would you know if your loved one is not getting the proper care because of Kasich's cuts? Here are some suggestions:
Is he/she clean? Has he/she been washed, and changed? Are bed sheets clean or soiled? Has he/she received all medication at the proper times? Has he/she been fed? Has he/she been left in the same position/chair for many hours? How many nurses are covering the patients? If at all possible, visit at different times during the day to check on your loved one.
If you see anything out of the ordinary, contact the head nurse and the director. Don't hesitate in calling/notifying the Ohio Department of Health (1-800-342-0553 or e-mail: HCComplaints@odh.ohio.gov). If you are not satisfied with the response you receive, contact your member of the Ohio Senate or Ohio House. Let the governor's office know if you feel that the care your loved one is receiving is inadequate or unsafe.
Please make sure that you document any incidents or problems (take notes, pictures, take names of people on duty).
>>>>> The Brad Blog has an update on the Ohio Republican voter suppression law:
Congrats to all voters of Ohio for successfully pushing back against the GOP's efforts to keep you from voting in next year's Presidential election! It's another win for democracy, and another loss for the Buckeye State's Republican Gov. John Kasich (following on the recent landslide loss of his anti-union bill at the polls last month.)
Today, Secretary of State John Husted (R), officially certified that opponents of HB194 --- the anti-voting bill that would have shortened early voting hours and imposed other big government restrictions on the exercise of the franchise in Ohio --- will be placed on the ballot for voter referendum in 2012. Thus, the act, passed by the GOP legislature and signed by Kasich earlier this year, is officially suspended for now.....
.....According to Fair Elections Ohio's announcement of the official signature certifications this afternoon, opponents of the voter suppression law gathered "307,358 valid signatures, over 75,000 more than were needed."
The coalition worked together for this success. Great job!