Cincinnati community members will gather Thursday night to “drag” an Ohio Republican.
Hosted by Planned Parenthood Advocates of Ohio (PPAO), the free event is part of the national “I Fight for Planned Parenthood” campaign, taking local aim at Ohio Sen. Jon Husted. The event, titled “Drag Senator Husted to Protect Medicaid” demands the newly appointed Republican protect Medicaid amid proposed congressional budget cuts and Gov. Mike DeWine’s push for Medicaid work requirements.
Under the proposal, Ohio Medicaid expansion recipients would need to be at least 55 years old, employed, be enrolled in school or a job training program, be in a recovery program or have a serious physical or mental health illness. DeWine sent a letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. asking to approve the work requirements in March. Ohio House Speaker Matt Huffman and Ohio Senate President Rob McColley also signed the letter.
“One idea for Medicaid reform is a work requirement, for healthy, childless adults,” Husted wrote on X in February. “It will help them start a career, experience the dignity of work & end dependence on government. Many states, including Ohio, have already applied for waivers to do this & the federal government needs to act.”
PPAO says a Medicaid work requirement threatens access to vital health services for 43% of Planned Parenthood’s Ohio patients.
“[These patients] rely on Medicaid for cancer screenings, wellness exams, STI testing and other preventative services,” PPAO said in a news release. “PPAO is supporting the Cincinnati community in their efforts to draw attention to how these actions would impact patients and Sen. Husted’s constituents.”
The event will encourage attendees to take immediate action, including live calls to Sen. Husted’s office. Organizers say the evening will be as much about celebration as it is about civic engagement, including live drag performances from drag artists Vanta Black and Guad Ala Jara.
Drag Senator Husted to Protect Medicaid will be held at the Woodward Theater from 7:30–10 p.m. and is open to guests 18 and older. The event is free but registration is required.
This article appears in Apr 16-29, 2025.