What Vivek’s Medicaid Mistake Means for Ohioans

What Vivek's Medicaid Mistake Means for Ohioans

January 22, 2026

Columbus, Ohio- Last week, an unearthed video showed Vivek Ramaswamy calling Medicaid and Medicare a "mistake." Here's what Ramaswamy's comments really mean for Ohioans.

• More than three million Ohioans rely on Medicaid to afford healthcare, and nearly 20% of Ohioans use Medicare. Without it, working families will see their healthcare costs skyrocket and be forced to choose between putting money in their pockets and getting the healthcare they need.

• 11 rural Ohio hospitals already rely on Medicaid to keep their doors open. Without them, families would be forced to drive greater distances for preventative care appointments and lifesaving emergency care.

• 38% of Ohio children rely on Medicaid for their healthcare. Families will be forced to choose between skipping critical appointments and putting food on the table.

• Medicaid helps 63% of Ohio nursing home residents to afford the care they need. Without it, seniors and their families will be forced to pay higher out of pocket costs or sacrifice their health and safety to stay at home.

"Vivek Ramaswamy has called Ohioans lazy, moved his business from Ohio to Texas, and says cornerstone healthcare programs that lower costs for millions of Ohioans were a mistake. Ohioans can't trust him to fight for working families or keep them safe and healthy," said Ohio Democratic Party spokeswoman Katie Seewer.

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