Biden to focus on health care in Ohio State University visit

President Joe Biden will visit the Ohio State University campus today as he calls on Ohio’s capital in continuing his “Help is Here” tour selling his massive $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief and economic stimulus package.

Focusing on health care, Biden will speak at The James-Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, the White House confirmed. The time was not immediately announced.

Amid coronavirus precautions, Biden’s remarks — in his first visit to Ohio as president — will not be open to the public.

Biden is expected to address the health care components of his rescue plan as his visit comes on the anniversary of the signing of the Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare, on March 23, 2010, when he was vice president to President Barack Obama.

The American Rescue Plan Act expands eligibility for premium subsides for those buying Affordable Care Act coverage and enacts other changes designed to make health care more affordable and expand Medicaid coverage for low-income individuals.

Saying he wants a good working relationship with the president, regardless of their party, Republican Gov. Mike DeWine said he would greet Biden upon his arrival in Columbus. The two men formerly served in the U.S. Senate together.

DeWine said he was invited to speak privately with Biden and does not anticipate anything “huge” arising in their discussion. He wants to fill the president in on Ohio’s battle against COVID-19 and tell him the Federal Emergency Management Agency mass-vaccination site in Cleveland “is working exceedingly well.”

Passed by the Democratic-controlled Congress over Republican opposition, Biden’s rescue package provides billions in aid to states, local governments, schools, small businesses and the unemployed while increasing spending on vaccination efforts.

Eligible individuals, and their dependent children, are receiving federal checks for $1,400 each, with deposits flowing into Ohioans’ bank accounts beginning last week.

Ohio is scheduled to receive more than $11 billion from the COVID-19 relief package, but DeWine has complained the state would have received an additional $834 million if funding were based on population.