COLUMBUS, Ohio — State Sen. Bill DeMora says the Legislature is watching the current stalemate between healthcare providers and insurers in Ohio.
Last month, Ohio State Health Systems ended their contract with Anthem Medicare Advantage, which impacts 28,000 people. That health system is currently in negotiations with Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield.
If they can't get on the same page by Dec. 31st, more than 130,000 other people will be impacted.
At the same time, Mount Carmel is locked in negotiations with Humana and Aetna.
It's a situation that's left many feeling helpless, so 10TV took that concern to a senator.
"Is there something legislative that can be done to help avoid what we're seeing right now?" 10TV Investigative Reporter Rochelle Alleyne asked DeMora.
"I don't think there's a way for us to intervene right now and play negotiators. Today's the 16th, they have 15 days. From what I've been told these things always go down to the last minute," DeMora said.
He went on to say that as people wait, they should brace for the impact of having to change providers. And he added that in his mind, the only way to really solve this issue would be through a universal healthcare system.
On Monday night, 10TV checked in with Ohio State Health Systems and Mount Carmel. They let us know they still haven't come to any agreements.