Advocates for Basic Legal Equality, Inc.
Advocates for Basic Legal Equality, Inc. (ABLE) is a nonprofit law firm that provides high-quality civil legal assistance to low-income individuals and communities across western Ohio. Since 1969, ABLE has worked to advance fairness and justice through legal representation, impact litigation, policy advocacy, and community partnerships. ABLE's work addresses issues including housing, healthcare, public benefits, education, immigrant rights, agricultural worker rights, and community economic development.
ABLE also collaborates with healthcare providers through its Medical-Legal Partnership for Children and pursues systemic reforms that improve opportunities and outcomes for underserved communities. Through a combination of direct representation and strategic litigation, ABLE works to address the root causes of poverty and promote lasting change.
THE CASE
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Advocates for Basic Legal Equality v. Ohio Department of Medicaid, a case that seeks greater transparency and accountability in Ohio's Medicaid system. The litigation focuses on whether Medicaid Managed Care Organizations, which administer publicly funded Medicaid services under contract with the State of Ohio, must comply with public records requirements when carrying out those responsibilities.
The case is part of a broader effort to address systemic barriers that prevent Medicaid beneficiaries from obtaining medically necessary durable medical equipment, such as wheelchairs, mobility devices, and respiratory equipment. ABLE contends that increased transparency is essential to understanding how coverage decisions are made and to ensuring that Medicaid recipients receive timely and equitable access to healthcare services. A favorable outcome could establish important precedent regarding public accountability in the administration of Medicaid benefits and help improve access to medically necessary care for millions of Ohioans enrolled in Medicaid Managed Care plans.
