This is the third blog in a series responding to the infographic report on racial disparities in Cleveland that I authored in December. You can go back and read the first blog on infant mortality and the second blog on racial disparities in childhood. It would be impossible (and irresponsible) to write anything about the...
Category: Blog
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County HHSA Committee hears update on JFS call center, and approves contracts worth more than $12 million
The March 20 meeting of the Cuyahoga County Health, Human Services and Aging committee featured a presentation from the Director of Cuyahoga County Job and Family Services about the county’s phone system for determining assistance program eligibility, and testimony about multiple contracts for child support and the Board of Developmental Disabilities. Kevin Gowan, the new...
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Maternal health in Ohio listening session hosted by Minority Leader Emilia Sykes
By Tara Britton, Director of Public Policy and Advocacy Melissa Federman, Treuhaft Chair for Health Planning In January, Minority Leader Emilia Sykes (D-Akron) hosted a listening session specific to maternal health in Ohio. Sykes was joined by 14 House Democrats – all women – and State Senator Stephanie Kunze (R-Hilliard). Both Sykes and Kunze have recently been...
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Medicaid Director highlights “realistic” budget approach, including no new rate increases
During her first testimony as the Medicaid Director before the Ohio House Finance Committee, Maureen Corcoran stated that the amount allocated to Medicaid in the executive budget met the target growth rate of 3.3% put forth by the Joint Medicaid Oversight Committee (JMOC). Later in the day, at our first Medicaid Institute of the year,...
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Governor’s budget makes effort to address high infant mortality rate, more work needed on Ohio’s maternal mortality rate
Ohio continues to grapple with an unacceptably high rate of infant mortality, especially among black babies born in the state. Governor Mike DeWine’s budget for 2020-2021 seeks to address this issue through increased funding for home visiting and the continuation of efforts employed over the last few years. Let’s take some time to dig in...
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Transportation budget passes Ohio Senate
By: Sam Sobul, Public Policy and External Affairs Intern William Tarter Jr., Public Policy and External Affairs Associate What Happened The substitute transportation budget introduced by the Ohio Senate Transportation, Commerce and Workforce Committee was amended Thursday and passed out of the committee on a 6-5 vote. It was approved by the Ohio Senate 24-6. The...
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Governor’s budget requests $200M in new behavioral health funding as “RecoveryOhio” initiative takes shape
Within minutes of taking the oath of office in January, Governor Mike DeWine issued an executive order establishing the RecoveryOhio Advisory Council to guide his new administration’s efforts to address Ohio’s ongoing crisis of drug addiction and mental illness. The council’s appointees are comprised of advocates and experts across systems, representing state and local governments,...
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A first look at health and human services in Governor Mike DeWine’s budget
Gov. Mike DeWine introduces first state budget, proclaiming “For too long, we’ve tinkered at the margins” Last Friday, Governor Mike DeWine introduced the details of his first state budget, after previewing several initiatives during the first half of March. Overall, the 2020-2021 budget is framed as an investment in Ohio’s future. DeWine stated that “for...