Time Is Running Out for a Budget That Protects Ohioans 50-Plus

The Ohio Senate last week released its version of the state budget, and the news isn’t what we hoped. Like the House draft, measures to promote transparency and accountability for nursing home funding were not included. On top of that, items in the House budget that would help support Ohioans 50-plus are absent in the Senate budget.

The Senate budget does not include funding for Healthy Aging Grants, which threatens Ohio’s 50-plus population. Right now, the Senate is working on amendments to the budget, which means we have another chance to be heard at the Statehouse. We’re asking you to email your senator and ask them to support amendments that would restore these vital measures in the budget.

We are calling for senators to do the following:

• Restore funding for the Healthy Aging Grants at $40 million to help Ohioans age in their homes.
• Require all Ohio-licensed nursing homes to provide annual, audited financial statements to ensure the majority of nursing home revenue is spent on direct care for residents.
  

Use your voice, email your senator and let Ohio’s lawmakers know they need to fight for and protect Ohio’s 50-plus population.

* This article was updated on June 16, 2023 regarding the status of SNAP benefit eligibility requirements in the budget bill.

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