June 17, 2025
Dear Governor DeWine, Senate President McColley, House Speaker Huffman, Minority Leader Russo, Minority Leader Antonio, and members of the Conference Committee,
We appreciate the time and attention you’ve given to the budget process. We recognize the volume of requests that have come your way in the last weeks and want to thank you for the opportunities created to discuss policy priorities across every sector. The Center for Community Solutions would like to address several areas in the current version of House Bill 96 and provide some additional context for why these issues are so vital to the wellbeing of Ohioans as you reconcile the differences between the versions of the budget.
OBMCD32 Federal medical assistance percentage for expansion eligibility group—Eliminate this language
This language is unnecessary to include in the budget given that any change in federal funding levels is addressed through OBMCD41 (Allows state programs to be reduced, suspended, or discontinued if the federal government reduces, suspends, or discontinues any corresponding federal program which provides funds for the state program). Given the uncertainty with the current federal budgeting process, we understand the state’s need to potentially reassess federally supported programs, while at the same time it must leave itself flexibility to address said changes. The OBMCD41 language allows for flexibility, OBMCD32 does not. We encourage the conference committee to remove this provision. Short of removal, we encourage the conference committee to change the word “shall” to the word “may” in OBMCD32.
MCDCD41 Continuous Medicaid enrollment for children—Restore executive budget language
Continuous Medicaid enrollment for young children was passed through the budget in the 135th General Assembly and is in the implementation process at the Department of Medicaid. Continuous coverage means that once a child, ages zero to their 4th birthday is enrolled in Medicaid, they would stay enrolled without an annual redetermination, until the age the continuous coverage ends. It is our collective responsibility to keep Ohio’s children safe and healthy. It is critical that children have access to health coverage and restoring this policy to the executive version will make a big difference for keeping kids connected to health services.
Medicaid Funding Levels
As it relates to overall funding levels for vital Medicaid services, please see the attachment detailing the challenges with the House and Senate proposed levels of funding. We encourage restoration of executive funding levels.
TAXCD61 Refundable income tax credit for dependents under age 7—Restore executive budget language
The Executive proposed a tax credit for families with children under age 7. This would go a long way to increasing stability for low and lower middle-income families who are juggling work, childcare and the costs of basics in life like food, clothing and utilities. The structure of the executive’s proposed credit would provide needed support to families that require financial relief in ways which are directly tied to employment. We encourage restoration of the executive language.
GRF 600534 Adult Protective Services—Restore House-passed funding levels
Funding local county agencies to provide adult protective services is a vital part of Ohio’s responsibility to keep older adults safe in their homes and communities. Ohio is home to a growing number of older adults and the need for additional APS funding is felt acutely. Community Solutions asks that the House-passed increase to APS be restored.
KIDCD2 Infant Vitality—Restore executive budget language funding levels and designations
Ohio continues to have an unfortunate distinction as a state with one of the worst infant mortality rates in the nation. Any reduction to funding to address infant mortality will be felt in the communities across the state that are working to improve outcomes for the youngest Ohioans. The Senate-passed budget includes an 18% cut to this line item compared to the executive budget. Community Solutions asks that funding be restored to the executive version of the budget.
DOHCD26 Lead abatement tax credit, DOHCD12 Lead Abatement—Restore executive budget language
The House and Senate made significant changes that would result in more children across the state of Ohio being exposed to lead. These reductions hollow out lead prevention and remediation efforts supported by state dollars. Children across the state could risk continuous exposure in their homes without proper mitigation. Community Solutions implores the Conference Committee to restore this funding to the levels proposed in the executive budget.
In conclusion, we thank the members of the committee for taking this information into consideration as it moves toward compromise between the different versions of the budget. We are ready to work with committee members on making these changes and fulfilling the Governor’s promise to make Ohio the best place to live, work and raise a family.
Thank you,
Emily Campbell Tara Britton
President and CEO Director of Public Policy and Advocacy
