Related Publications: Federal Issues


Recovery Act Put $2.5 Billion in Ohioans' Pockets: A County-by-County Review (02/25/10)

The $787 billion American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) was split between formula funding for state and local government programs, competitive grants, and direct benefits to Americans. The State of Ohio is expected to receive $8.2 billion in formula funding, and competitive grants in excess of $817 million have al­ready been awarded to Ohio entities. This report examines four direct assistance provi­sions of ARRA: a boost in monthly food stamp1 benefits, a one-time $250 payment for Social Security and SSI recipients, a $25 per week increase in unemployment benefits, and the Making Work Pay tax credit.

Three Large Ohio Cities Among Nation's Poorest (09/29/09)
In Ohio’s cities, the ranks of those living in poverty are growing, according to Census Bureau data released today. Nearly one-third of Cleveland residents eke out an existence below the poverty line, making it the second poorest city in America. The poverty threshold for a family of four is $22,050.  Ohio has the dubious distinction of being the only state with more than one large city among the 10 poorest in America. Cincinnati ranked seventh with 25.1 percent in poverty, and Toledo ranted eighth with a poverty rate of 24.7 percent.

Lack of Health Insurance Concentrated Among Working-Age Ohioans: New Census data highlights need for comprehensive health reform (09/22/09)
More than one in five working age adults in Ohio’s cities did not have health insurance coverage in 2008, according to health insurance data the Census Bureau released today. These findings and the expectation that the situation will worsen in 2009 highlight the need to enact comprehensive health care reform.

Health Care Reform: A Brief Glossary of Terms (08/27/09)

Impact of Health Care Measures (08/27/09)

SBM: Recovery Watch 1: ARRA More Than Just Dollars and Cents (05/22/09)
While much of the focus has been on the funding aspects of ARRA, the legislation included numerous other provisions which do not have specific price tags, but make improvements in programs that can have real impacts on states.

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (04/09/09)
Select Health, Education, and Social Service Appropriations

11th Congress: Ohio Delegation Committee Assignments (03/18/09)

Rule Changes are DIfferent, but Both Would Hurt Ohio (04/30/08)
In the last year, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has made a number of rulings that could profoundly limit Medicaid’s reach. These changes break down into two categories: the August 17 CMS SCHIP (State Children’s Health Insurance Program) Directive and a collection of seven Medicaid changes that are being addressed together.

Economic Stimulus Good, But More Needed (02/15/08)
The growing concern that the U.S. economy may be headed for a recession has fueled recent discussions about the need for economic stimulus. The desire to reverse an economic downturn is not uncommon, but government policies aimed at boosting the economy must be carefully crafted to ensure they are effective.

The Value of Food Stamp Benefits in Ohio - and Across the County - Is Shrinking (02/09)
One of the most important issues Congress will address in this year’s Farm Bill is the future of the Food Stamp Program. Roughly 1 million Ohioans, and 26 million Americans overall, rely on food stamps to help them purchase a nutritionally adequate diet. Unfortunately, food stamps are worth only about $1.10 per meal for the average Ohioan, and because the benefit doesn’t keep up with the cost of living, the amount of food they can purchase is steadily declining.