A new law in the city increased the minimum age to buy cigarettes, tobacco and even E-cigarettes from 18 to 21. Cleveland City Council says such a move is essential to keeping tobacco out of the hands of middle school and high school students and stopping them them from ever lighting up in the first place. Health experts say the law means saving millions of young lives. Store owners say the law hits them in the cash register and is unfair.
Plus, nearly 3 million Ohioans are enrolled in Medicaid, the government health insurance plan that provides coverage to the poor and disabled. Now the state is looking to make Medicaid recipients shoulder some of the cost of their government provided health care.
Then, the latest roundup on efforts to legalize medical marijuana.
Resources:
Listening Project: Yearly Reports
Healthy Ohio Medicaid Waiver Details (PDF)
Healthy Ohio Medicaid Waiver Public Hearings
Brian Cummins, Chairman, Health & Human Services Committee, Cleveland City Council
Dr. Rob Crane, President, Preventing Tobacco Addiction Foundation
Casey Ross, Reporter, The Plain Dealer
John Corlett, President & Executive Director, Center for Community Solutions
Karen Kasler, Ohio Statehouse News Bureau Chief