AOF Sends ARPA Sign-On Letter to Governor, General Assembly Leaders

This week, Advocates for Ohio’s Future sent a letter signed by 50 organizations and concerned constituents across Ohio asking Governor Mike DeWine and General Assembly leaders to institute a public, transparent planning process for American Rescue Plan funds. Check out our full letter here!


Governor DeWine and Leaders of the Ohio General Assembly:

We are grateful for your actions to protect the people of Ohio and provide emergency assistance and resources early in the pandemic. These programs, resources and investments held families together and supported their most basic needs.

The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) allotted $5.36 billion in flexible State Fiscal Recovery Funds to recover, repay, restore and rebuild from the coronavirus pandemic. State elected leaders have allotted more than three-fourths of Ohio’s first payment of $2.7 billion, leaving more than $3.3 billion to be assigned by December 31, 2024 and spent by the end of 2026.

As the impact of the virus continues, earlier allocations of federal and state support, resources and assistance are dwindling and Ohioans continue to struggle to meet their basic food, housing and health needs while trying to work and keep themselves and their families safe and healthy.

While current levels of need across communities are significant, we need to also address the most pressing issues that will keep individuals and communities from a fair and equitable recovery from the pandemic. We have the opportunity to address housing affordability, increase access to health care, close the digital divide, and support workers and businesses to ensure long-term community resiliency.

These ARPA recovery funds represent an opportunity to support and invest in the health and safety of Ohio families now and for years to come.

We—the leaders of Advocates for Ohio’s Future, the undersigned organizations and concerned Ohioans—urge you to implement a public, accessible, transparent planning process to inform a thorough investment plan that supports strong, equitable recovery for all Ohioans from the ongoing health and economic pandemic.

With more than a year and a half to encumber the funds, state leaders have the time to seek out meaningful public input and proposals for a robust state recovery plan. Precedent exists for public hearing processes on the best, most effective uses for large sums of money from various settlements awarded to Ohio. A task force should be assembled to review, deliberate and make recommendations for a recovery plan and should include state officials, stakeholders, community leaders and those who have been disparately impacted by the pandemic.

Over $3 billion in recovery funds presents a historic opportunity for the state to make investments that have long- term impacts on the security and stability of families as they recover from the pandemic. Working together with the people of Ohio to identify and prioritize the needs of their communities through an open, public, transparent process will strengthen our state’s recovery and put us on firm footing to move forward from an unprecedented public health and economic crisis.

Sincerely,

Leaders of Advocates for Ohio’s Future

New BroadbandOhio Maps Reveal Greater Need Than Previous Maps

by: Sarah Hudacek, AOF Policy Assistant

Earlier this month, BroadbandOhio, the state office dedicated to improving access to high-speed internet across Ohio, released a new set of broadband access maps that show that even fewer Ohio households have access to broadband than previously thought.

The previously used Federal Communications Commission maps were compiled using data reported from internet service providers, but the new BroadbandOhio maps use speed test records from a period of 15 months to show the internet coverage Ohioans actually receive in their homes on a daily basis.

Check out the two maps side-by-side:

BroadbandOhio’s new map

The previously used FCC map

The most striking difference between the two maps above, the new one on the left and the old on the right, is that the FCC map vastly overestimated broadband access in Northwest Ohio.

Since 2015, the FCC has defined broadband as 25Mbps download and 3Mbps upload. As the COVID-19 pandemic made clear, Ohioans need consistent access to fast, reliable video streaming for telehealth appointments, work meetings, school, visiting with friends and family, and more. As you can see from the BroadbandOhio map legend, 25/3 internet speeds are not the pinnacle of service, but the bare minimum of quality, high-speed internet access.

BroadbandOhio considers households that receive less than 10Mbps download and 1Mbps upload unserved, and households that receive greater than 10/1, but less than 25/3 underserved.

The state of Ohio has for years estimated that 300,000 Ohio households lack broadband access. These new maps paint a much starker picture:

In Ohio, 841,647 households are underserved, receiving less than 25/3 internet speed.

Of those, 475,328 households are unserved, receiving less than 10/1 internet speed.

With a slow push at the federal level to increase the broadband definition to 100Mbps upload and 20Mbps download, more and more of the state could soon be considered underserved. Last year’s Coronavirus Capital Projects Fund and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s ReConnect broadband program both only funded broadband projects with a minimum speed of 100/20.

These maps are a vital step forward in addressing Ohio’s broadband gaps. Most importantly, because maps determine funding. These new maps will be used to determine how much federal funding Ohio is eligible to receive, at a time when last year’s Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will soon dole out $65 billion in broadband funding.

These maps also elevate broadband advocacy across the state. Without data like this, Ohio’s elected leaders would be making policy and budget decisions on data that underestimated the number of households without broadband access by more than 60 percent.

But these maps come with an important caveat: access does not equal affordability. A monthly internet service plan of $60 or less is considered low-cost, but a $60 monthly charge is a barrier for many families. And, we know in reality that many high-speed plans cost much more. There are certainly households in areas with access to 100/20 speeds, but who are only able to afford 25/3 or lower. Access and affordability must be addressed together in order to comprehensively address the broadband funding gap.

Medicaid Managed Care Plan Selection Begins March 1

Starting March 1, 2022, Medicaid enrollees will be able to select a new managed care plan as part of the Ohio Medicaid Next Generation rollout. Selections made beginning March 1st will go into effect on July 1, the go-live date for Medicaid Next Generation.

Members have seven managed care plans to choose from: Buckeye Community Health Plan, CareSource, Molina Healthcare, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan, AmeriHealth Caritas, Humana, and Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield.

Starting March 1, members can choose their plan by visiting the Ohio Medicaid Consumer Hotline Portal at members.ohiomh.com, or by calling the Ohio Medicaid Consumer Hotline at 800-324-8680.

If members are not ready to make a plan selection yet, members should be sure to update their contact information so they receive important notices. Here are the ways members can update their information:

· CALL: Call (844) 640-6446. After selecting the option for their preferred language, members should select option 2 and they will be prompted to enter their zip code.

· CLICK: Individuals with an existing Self-Service Portal (SSP) account can report changes online at https://ssp.benefits.ohio.gov. After logging in, they will click the Access my Benefits tile, then click Report a Change to my Case from the drop down and follow the prompts.

· CONTACT: Contact their County Department of Job and Family Services (CDJFS). Ohio Medicaid members can find their CDJFS by viewing the County Directory at https://jfs.ohio.gov/County/County_Directory.stm.

Using SNAP & PEBT Online in Ohio

Households that qualify for SNAP and P-EBT benefits (food assistance) can use their Ohio Directions Card to purchase groceries online at select retailers including Aldi, Giant Eagle and more.

Our partners at the Ohio Association of Foodbanks and The Center for Community Solutions recently released this clickable resource detailing which Ohio retailers accept SNAP & PEBT benefits and share more about the program.

Throughout the pandemic, retailers have even promoted one-time discounts and special offers for remote shopping, including covering delivery fees. Check with your local retailer of choice to find out more. Additional retailers will be joining the program in the future.

Access the Guide to Shopping Online for Groceries with SNAP/EBT in Ohio

AOF Releases 2022 Resources: Poverty Scorecard and Eligibility Infographic

This week, AOF is releasing our 2022 Poverty Level Scorecard and Public Benefits Eligibility Infographic! At a time when the COVID-19 pandemic is raging at its worst and families continue to struggle to meet their basic needs, we hope these resources will help spread the word about these crucial public programs and center conversations around strengthening these safety net programs that have supported more Ohioans than ever during these challenging times.

Download our Eligibility Infographic HERE and our Poverty Scorecard HERE!

 

AOF Releases Winter Checklist for Families

This year will be a year of big changes to public benefits for many families after we see increased benefits and flexibilities across public programs like Medicaid and SNAP begin to unwind as the coronavirus pandemic (hopefully) eases up. To help families prepare for the end of these temporary COVID-19 flexibilities and enhanced benefits, AOF is releasing our winter checklist for families to ensure they continue to receive the benefits and tax credits they’re eligible for. We’re encouraging families to:

  1. File your 2021 tax return-Even if you aren’t required or don’t normally fi­le your taxes, be sure to ­file your 2021 tax return so you can claim the rest of your expanded Child Tax Credit and other funds like the Earned Income Tax Credit.

  2. Update your household info- Many people have been displaced or experienced changes in their lives during the pandemic. Update your Medicaid and SNAP cases to make sure you keep your benefi­ts and know when deadlines are coming up. Call 1-844-640-6446 or go to jfs.ohio.gov and click County Directory.

  3. Keep your child’s school informed-Schools need to keep your info up-to-date so your child(ren) receive available free or reduced-price school meals and Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) funds. Learn more at ohiopebt.org.

    • If your child is out of school because of a COVID-19 related reason, make sure to report the reason for their absence to your child’s school so that they may receive P-EBT funds for qualifying absences.

    • Even if your child is receiving free school meals during the COVID-19 pandemic, submit a new National School Meals Program application to your school so that they do not lose access if they are still eligible after the pandemic.

  4. Check on other benefi­ts & programs- Go to ohiofoodbanks.org/get-help to fi­nd out more

Find our full winter checklist HERE and
use this social media graphic to help us share with Ohio families!

Announcing AOF’s 2022 Steering Committee

AOF is excited to announce our 2022 Steering Committee! Each of these 30 organizations bring a unique and important voice to the AOF table and give incredible amounts of time to the leadership and governance of AOF.

AOF Co-Chairs:

  • Tara Britton, The Center for Community Solutions

  • Darold Johnson, Ohio Federation of Teachers

Executive Committee:

  • Teresa Lampl, Ohio Council of Behavioral Health & Family Service Providers

  • Lisa Hamler-Fugitt, Ohio Association of Foodbanks

  • Susan Jagers, Ohio Poverty Law Center

  • Gina Wilt, Coalition on Homelessness and Housing in Ohio

  • Will Petrik, Policy Matters Ohio

  • Tracy Najerá, Children’s Defense Fund-Ohio

Steering Committee:

  • Scott Neely, Children’s Hunger Alliance

  • Megan Riddlebarger, Corporation for Ohio Appalachian Development

  • Jordan Ballinger, Disability Rights Ohio

  • Michael Corey, Human Service Chamber of Franklin County

  • Juvenile Justice Coalition

  • Megan Burke, Mental Health & Addiction Advocacy Coalition

  • Beth Kowalczyk, Ohio Association of Area Agencies on Aging

  • Phil Cole, Ohio Association of Community Action Agencies

  • Julie DiRossi-King, Ohio Association of Community Health Centers

  • Liz Henrich, Ohio Association of County Behavioral Health Authorities

  • Mark Trew, Ohio Association of Goodwill Industries

  • Kate Rossman, Ohio Children’s Alliance

  • Joe Russell, Ohio Council for Home Care and Hospice

  • Gretchen Behimer, Ohio Family & Children First Coordinators Association

  • Joel Potts, Ohio Job and Family Services Directors’ Association

  • Christine Touvelle, Ohio Provider Resource Association

  • Michael Ranney, Ohio Psychological Association

  • Jeremy Morris, Ohio Statewide Independent Living Council

  • Rebecca Kusner, Ohio Workforce Coalition

  • Nick Bates, One Ohio Now

  • Scott Britton, Public Children Services Association of Ohio

  • Steve Wagner, Universal Health Care Action Network-Ohio

Advocates for Ohio’s Future: A Look Back at 2021

Advocates for Ohio’s Future (AOF) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan coalition of over 500 state and local health and human services policy, advocacy and provider organizations that strive to strengthen families and communities through public funding for health, human services, and early care & education. We work to empower and support nonprofit organizations in the critical work they do, especially as it relates to lifting up the most vulnerable among us.

When planning for 2021, we knew it would take many months, if not years, for Ohio’s families and businesses to recover from the coronavirus pandemic.

When planning for 2021, we knew it would take many months, if not years, for Ohio’s families and businesses to recover from the coronavirus pandemic. The need to protect and increase basic needs assistance and invest in work supports for Ohioans and their families that would last the duration of the economic fallout—not just the public health crisis—united our member organizations and framed our policy priorities for the year.

Medicaid, broadband and supporting low-income families through TANF

In collaboration with partner organizations, AOF focused our advocacy efforts to:

  • Maintain Medicaid eligibility without barriers or cuts so that Ohioans seeking health care and mental health and addiction treatment can continue to access vital services during these multiple public health and economic crises;

  • Increase access to broadband to help all low-income families afford high-speed internet access and incentivize internet service providers to update and improve their networks in low-income areas so all Ohio families and businesses have the ability to participate in education, telehealth and Ohio’s economy; and

  • Support the immediate, emergency needs of low-income children and families by investing in the core components of the TANF program including emergency assistance, work supports (PRC), food, housing, income-support, and child care and ensure unspent TANF dollars are reinvested into sustainable core programs to increase the security of low-income families and expand job training and work opportunities.

AOF-led education and media efforts resulted in budget and policy wins

Throughout the introduction and initial hearings of the state biennial budget bill, House Bill 110, AOF and our partner organizations went to work analyzing proposed appropriations and massive policy pieces included in the bill. We formed our initial advocacy strategy to meet with elected officials, testify in committee and educate our supporters about what was included in the budget in all its forms.

Given the success of our COVID-19 Health and Human Service Policy Response webinar series in 2020, we endeavored to launch a series of webinars every other week during the budget process to feature our partner organizations reviewing their health and human services section of expertise in the state budget, talk about their priorities and offer ways for our viewers to take action and advocate on issues important to them. We planned and coordinated 10 free webinars over the budget process with over 1,000 viewers and 40 featured speakers. You can revisit AOF’s budget webinars here.

Unfortunately, the content and impact of the state budget bill took a turn for the worse in the final weeks of deliberations. By adding provisions that derailed the Medicaid procurement process, passed on funding for critical broadband infrastructure, jeopardized quality child care and diverted critical funding for public programs and community services to pay for tax cuts, Ohio Senate leaders confirmed their budget was not for the benefit of Ohio’s children, families and communities. AOF and our partner organizations mobilized quickly to coordinate two in-person press conferences, social media storms, direct contact campaigns, print media and broadcast interviews along with direct advocacy to lawmakers to consider the ramifications of the damaging provisions on their constituents who continue to struggle and are the most at risk before passing the final state biennial budget.

Due to the efforts of many of our partners, stakeholders and supporters over a short period of time, the final version of HB 110 did not include many of malevolent provisions added in the final weeks and included a number of positive policies, including historic investments in broadband access and adult protective services, and the extension of Medicaid coverage for postpartum mothers up to 12 months.

Over 90 organizations mobilized against SB 17, aimed at SNAP and Medicaid

In addition to our proactive budget agenda, AOF and our partners responded to the most comprehensive legislative threat to public programs introduced in years; Senate Bill 17. SB 17 was introduced in late January and sought to make changes in eligibility for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and Medicaid, work and education requirements for certain Medicaid recipients, requirements for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program electronic benefit transfer cards, and eligibility for and overpayments of unemployment compensation.

All people need safety and security, especially in the middle of a pandemic and a recession.

Though the bill sponsor Senator Tim Schaffer claimed these reforms would “repair our safety net so that it’s strong enough to catch the needy, the folks eligible to receive–and need–public assistance,” AOF and our partner organizations disagreed SB 17 does not protect the safety net and exposes vulnerable Ohioans to loss of critical, earned support in challenging times. It punishes workers and creates more barriers for children, families, working adults and seniors to get the help they need. All people need safety and security, especially in the middle of a pandemic and a recession. Public programs like SNAP, Medicaid, and unemployment insurance are the strongest lifelines to ensure our neighbors have the supports they need during these challenging times.

Unlike any issue we have worked on, more of our members and partners raised concerns about the provisions of Senate Bill 17. In just a week, we had more than 90 local, state and national organizations join a sign-on letter to the Senate Government Oversight and Accountability Committee and Senate leadership in opposition, as well as organized over 50 opponents to submit testimony in person or in writing against the bill. AOF coordinated weekly stakeholder meetings, organized a social media toolkit for our members and partners to spread the word and helped concerned individuals and organizations take direct action against the bill with their elected officials.

After four hearings and a sub-bill, SB 17 sits stalled in committee but we continue monitor chatter for any intention to continue hearings on the bill.

AOF highlights equity with new digital resources

In addition to our budget policy work AOF has four issue-specific work groups: Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Broadband Access, Work and Wages, and Equity. These groups are chaired by members of AOF and convene regularly to discuss current events under these topics and plan advocacy initiatives.

Stemming from an idea in AOF’s Equity work group, we released an Equity Resources page on our website this year. Equity is a priority in all of AOF’s policy work, and we’re proud to be a resource for members, partners and supporters to engage with equity.

Minority Health Strike Force 1-Year Anniversary, continues strategic communications into 2022

In 2020, when Ohio’s Minority Health Strike Force report was being written, AOF stepped up to host town halls across the state for Ohioans to provide input on the strategic plan being created to address health disparities in Ohio. In August 2021, on the one-year anniversary of the release of the report, AOF asked for a comprehensive report on the status of implementation. We issued a letter to Governor DeWine and his administration asking for an update and launched a social media storm to raise awareness that the administration has done very little to achieve and report on the goals laid out by the Task Force. AOF will continue to monitor implementation into 2022 and beyond.

Ohio American Rescue Plan funding totals $5.4 billion

The American Rescue Plan Act (ARP) will bring unprecedented funding into the State of Ohio and local governments. AOF has been keeping a close eye on funds coming into Ohio, particularly the State Fiscal Recovery Funds (SFRF), the largest single pot of funding coming into the state at $5.4 billion. These funds are incredibly flexible, which has allowed the state to so far use the funds in ways that don’t prioritize immediate health and human services needs and that don’t focus on an equitable recovery from COVID-19.

In May, AOF hosted a roundtable webinar reviewing what ARP funding was coming into Ohio for Medicaid, education, food access, behavioral health, home and community-based services, older adults, and more. In October, we hosted a second ARP webinar for AOF members to present their proposals on how the remainder of Ohio’s SFRF allocation should be spent. Governor DeWine and his administration have not hosted any public hearings or created any opportunities for public comment on how this historic funding should be allocated so we held a hearing of our own and created a report based on AOF members’ webinar presentations to send to the administration continuing to push for an open, transparent state allocation process with public input.

Ohio COVID-19 Recovery Coalition will continue to meet to protect benefits into 2022

Once the federal Public Health Emergency (PHE) declaration was put in place in January 2020, program requirement waivers started to be tied to the end of the PHE as a bellwether for the end of the pandemic and a time to reinstate requirements. As a result, at the end of the PHE, Ohioans will be facing the redetermination of their Medicaid benefits, the return of TANF cash assistance and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) work requirements, re-starting student loan payments, loosening Medicaid telehealth allowances, reduced SNAP payments once Emergency Allotments end, and more – all at once.

Recognizing this upcoming challenge faced by state and local institutions and Ohioans, AOF formed the Ohio COVID-19 Recovery Coalition. With three workgroups – Healthcare, Nutrition and Family Stability – the Coalition meets weekly to discuss updates, meet with the state administration, and plan advocacy initiatives. Our groups have so far met with two state departments and sent two letters to the administration. This Coalition will continue to meet through the anticipated end of the federal PHE in April 2022.

New member organizations and expanded membership options

AOF is proud to announce that, stemming from all of our successes and engagement in 2021, we’re launching a new membership structure in 2022 that will expand membership access and engagement options. We will also welcome one new member organization to our Steering Committee, further expanding the depth and breadth of health and human service voices at our table. Keep an eye out for more information in our newsletter!

AOF is Advocate of the Year, honored by the Ohio Association of Area Agencies

All of AOF’s hard work and forward-thinking has been recognized by our partners. In October, AOF was honored by the Ohio Association of Area Agencies on Aging as the 2021 Advocate of the Year. AOF’s accomplishments are only possible because of the support and commitment of our member organizations.

We’re so grateful to all of our partners, members and supporters for a successful 2021.

Follow our plans in 2022

We’re so grateful to all of our partners, members and supporters for a successful 2021. We’ve seen firsthand what can be accomplished when we focus the combined power of our coalition organizations and supporters towards our common goal—to protect Ohio’s most vulnerable citizens and ensure all Ohioans live healthy lives in strong communities. We have big plans for 2022, including continuing the Ohio COVID-19 Recovery Coalition’s work, monitoring the upcoming Capital Budget, and more. Keep in touch by following us on TwitterFacebook, and signing up for our weekly newsletter on our website.

Marketplace Health Insurance: Open Enrollment Begins on Monday

Open enrollment for health insurance through the state marketplace begins on November 1st! Although open enrollment will continue through January 15, 2022, individuals are encouraged to sign up by December 15th in order to have health care coverage starting on January 1st. Because of the American Rescue Plan, additional financial help is available this year. Help with premiums is available up to 400 percent of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) - $87,840 for a family of 3 and $106,000 for a family of 4 - and help with copays and coinsurance is available up to 250 percent FPL - $54,900 for a family of 3 and $66,250 for a family of 4.

You can preview 2022 health plans here, and beginning Monday, you can enroll at HealthCare.gov or CuidadoDeSalud.gov.

If you’re looking for assistance enrolling, have questions about available Marketplace plans, Medicaid enrollment, or are unsure what you might qualify for, visit GetCoveredOhio.org to schedule a free appointment with application assisters near you.

by: Sarah Hudacek, AOF Policy Assistant

Federal Update: Build Back Better in Final Negotiations

Leaders in Congress have been grappling over the details of the federal $3.5 trillion economic recovery package known as the Build Back Better (BBB) agenda from the Biden-Harris Administration. Though AOF doesn’t usually dive deeply into federal legislation, a number of provisions in this bill have the potential to have a real, meaningful impact for the vulnerable populations we serve including children and low-income working adults.

As negotiations continue into next week, it is critical that you reach out to your U.S. Representatives Senators and ask that they do all they can to ensure the final Build Back Better package includes priorities that will make a difference for you, your family and your community.

AOF and our partner organizations are pushing for the policies below to be included in the final bill and approved by Congress:

  • Child Tax Credit (CTC)- Benefits children by making the full CTC permanently available to children in families with the lowest incomes. The expansion in the Child Tax Credit would result in a significant reduction in poverty, reducing the number of children with incomes below the poverty line by more than 40 percent.

  • Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)- Benefits working adults without children by permanently extending the EITC expansion from the American Rescue Plan. This expansion would boost the income of more than 17 million working adults without children who do important work for low pay.

  • Medicaid Coverage Gap and Health Premium Tax Credits- Reduces marketplace premiums for older people above 400% of poverty.

  • Housing Vouchers- Funds as many as 750,000 new Housing Choice Vouchers to help people with low incomes afford stable housing.

  • Child Nutrition- Pandemic EBT benefits would be extended under Build Back Better to help families afford groceries in the summer.

  • Paid Leave- Creates a universal paid family and medical leave program that would guarantee 12 weeks of paid family and medical leave annually to all workers in the U.S., including those working for private employers, state, local, and federal governments, as well as self-employed and gig workers.

  • Child Care- Includes two investments in early care and education: 1) two years of universal preschool and 2) a sliding scale limit on child care costs for families. The Center for American Progress estimates this provision would save Ohio families close to $100 per week in child care costs.

We know a lot can change over the coming days as decisions are made. We believe approving the proposed permanent investments in the above relief and work support programs is the best way to support Ohio families as they continue to work to recover in the months and years to come.

HHS Priorities for State ARPA Funding

The American Rescue Plan (ARP) represents a historic opportunity to invest in people, communities and infrastructure. Ohio is set to receive a total $5.36 billion, separated between two allocations, which must be obligated by December 31, 2024 and fully expended by December 31, 2026. Permitted uses for State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund (SLFRF) dollars include:

RECOVER: Pay for measures that quell the pandemic and prevent outbreaks

REPAY: Premium pay to essential employees or grants to their employers

REBUILD: Invest in water, sewer and broadband infrastructure

RESTORE: Pay for government services affected by loss of revenues caused by pandemic recession. Allows for public sector hiring to reinforce and restore government work

Since these recovery funds were announced on both the state and local levels, many local governments have reached out to their residents to identify and prioritize the needs of their communities through an open, public, transparent process before deciding on strategic, significant investments for a recovery plan.

Already, Ohio has expended more than half of its first state funding allocation, with only $850 million remaining. There has been little to no opportunity for public input on the spending of these funds at the state level. Allocations amended into House Bill 168 were added to the bill on the Senate floor and concurred by the House of Representatives with no opportunity for public testimony or comment.

Funding of this magnitude warrants a robust planning process drawing on experts and state and community leaders.

In an effort to give our member organizations an opportunity to present their ARP state spending priorities publicly, AOF hosted a hearing via webinar where nine organizations shared their investment proposal, why the dollars are needed and what long-term impact the investment will have.

This memorandum summarizes the proposals highlighted in the hearing October 7th.

AOF Releases New Public Benefits Infographic

AOF created a brand new public benefits infographic that we’re proud to release today! This infographic, which you can download here, outlines the income eligibility guidelines for Ohio’s social safety net programs, such as cash assistance, food assistance, Medicaid, nutrition, and child care subsidies.

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The back of our new resource includes AOF’s annually updated Poverty Scorecard, with Federal Poverty Guidelines, and the ten most common Ohio jobs and the median wages earned for those jobs.

AOF will use this resource in legislative meetings, outreach, and education. We hope you’ll find this resource as helpful as we do!

by: Sarah Hudacek, AOF Policy Assistant

Don't Miss Out on the Expanded Child Tax Credit!

As part of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARP), Congress expanded the Child Tax Credit (CTC) to allow families to receive a total of $3,600 per child up to age 5 and $3,000 per child age 6 to 17. Most families don’t have to do anything to receive the expanded CTC, but if you haven’t filed taxes recently and your 2020 income is below $12,400 for a single parent, $24,800 for a married couple, or $18,650 for head of household, be sure to sign up as soon as possible with the Non-Filer Sign-Up Tool before it closes on November 15th!

Be sure to also share these two flyers from Children’s Defense Fund-Ohio to spread the word and make sure every eligible family receives the assistance they deserve! Download the flyers here and here.

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by: Sarah Hudacek, AOF Policy Assistant

Coming December 2021: Annual Open Enrollment for Ohio Medicaid Managed Care

Beginning September 24th, Ohio Medicaid began informing members of the 2021 open enrollment period by letter notices via mail and by automated phone calls from the Ohio Medicaid Consumer Hotline.

Though the official open enrollment period will occur December 1, 2021 – December 31, 2021, Ohio Medicaid managed care members can change their plan starting at the end of September by calling the Ohio Medicaid Consumer Hotline at 1-800-324-8680 or utilizing the Ohio Medicaid Consumer Hotline Member Portal at https://members.ohiomh.com/Login.aspx.

Remember, managed care members do not have to change plans if they’re satisfied with their current selection. Those who do not make a plan selection will continue to receive coverage through their current managed care plan and won’t experience any change in their services.

The plans that are available during the 2021 Annual Open Enrollment are:

  • Buckeye Health Plan

  • CareSource

  • Molina Health Care

  • Paramount Advantage

  • United Health Care Community Plan

This annual open enrollment period precludes another opportunity for Ohio Medicaid managed care members to change plans in Spring 2022 before the next generation program and new plans go live on July 1, 2022.

Additional communications will be sent to Ohio Medicaid managed care members during Member Transition Enrollment in Spring 2022 to provide directions on how to to review and compare all the new and continuing plans available in order to choose the plan that is the best fit for them.

by: Sarah Hudacek, AOF Policy Assistant

SNAP Changes Coming October 1st

Starting in October, almost all SNAP households will see a modest, permanent increase in their SNAP benefits—generally between $12 to $16 per person per month. States will automatically make these changes for all SNAP households and recipients do not need to take any action.

The USDA recently re-evaluated the Thrifty Food Plan (TFP) based on current data to reflect the cost of a healthy diet. This increased the purchasing power of regular SNAP benefits for the first time since 1975. Congress directed USDA to update the TFP. As a result, starting in October, maximum SNAP benefit amounts (excluding pandemic-related increases) will be 21 percent higher.

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service: SNAP and the Thrifty Food Plan | USDA-FNS

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service: SNAP and the Thrifty Food Plan | USDA-FNS

October 1st also marks the end of the pandemic-related 15 percent increase to SNAP benefits that has been in place since January. However, SNAP emergency maximum allotments remain in place to help support families as many continue to emerge from the challenges of the last 18 months. Maximum emergency allotments are requested and renewed by individual states on a monthly basis. The Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services continues to request this flexibility and additional support.

by: Sarah Hudacek, AOF Policy Assistant

Ohio's Cash Assistance Program Falls Short During Pandemic

This year marks the 25th anniversary of welfare reform, when the federal government ended the Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) entitlement program and created the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) block grant through the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Act (PRWOA) in 1996.

In recognizing this important anniversary, AOF’s very own Policy Assistant Sarah Hudacek authored a series of research and blog posts late last month detailing her analysis of Ohio’s TANF cash assistance program known as Ohio Works First (OWF) and how this safety net program has been relatively unresponsive to the needs of struggling individuals and families compared to food assistance and other public benefits programs. While benefit program enrollment should grow during economic downturns, OWF barely expanded caseloads in spring and summer 2020 and quickly returned to pre-pandemic levels by the end of the year.

Hudacek sites the overall structure of TANF as a block grant program and federal rules like work requirements and time limits as hindrances to the program’s ability to meet all the needs of Ohioans who are eligible for assistance.

Learn more by taking a look at Sarah’s full reports below:

AOF Policy Assistant Sarah Hudacek splits her time between AOF and our partners at The Center for Community Solutions.

AOF's Letter to Governor DeWine on the 1-Year Anniversary of the Minority Health Strike Force Blueprint

Today, AOF sent a letter to Governor Mike DeWine on the 1-Year anniversary of the release of the Minority Health Strike Force Blueprint asking for transparency, accountability and robust community involvement. Read our letter below:


Governor DeWine:

Around this time last year, our coalition sent you a letter thank you for the tremendous work done by the Minority Health Task Force and your administration in laying a foundation for the deeply meaningful work of moving Ohio to a place of racial equity.  The COVID-19 Minority Health Strike Force Blueprint and Ohio’s Executive Response: A Plan of Action to Advance Equity are significant documents and represent a meaningful opportunity for racial equity and antiracist initiatives. 

We are a year and a half into this pandemic and minority communities continue to experience disparate impacts of the health and economic crisis as well as poorer overall health outcomes.

Implementing the Blueprint recommendations and your Executive Action Plan would create a profound change in the lives of black and brown people across Ohio. Though we recognize and applaud a number of funding initiatives and programs included in the recently passed state budget bill, our member organizations and others who have pledged to work with black and brown community members, along with you and Ohio’s leaders to dismantle racism to advance health equity, have not received any meaningful update or report on progress made toward Blueprint recommendations or your Executive Action Plan.

Specifically, three commitments from your Executive Action Plan are critical for long term change and addressing racial inequities and disparities that existed long before the Coronavirus crisis.

  • Commitment #6: Approach equity holistically. Ohio must use a deliberate and comprehensive lens through which social determinants of health are analyzed for change. #6 from the Executive Response is a powerful frame and will well serve all of Ohio’s residents. A tool for analyzing the impact of rules on health and equity was developed under the leadership of the Ohio Public Health Association and is another excellent place to start applying an equity lens.

  • Commitments #8 and #10 (Measure progress against widely accepted benchmarks and standards and ensure all Ohioans have the ability to connect with and understand state content, programs, policy and data, respectively) are important corollaries to Commitment #6. We believe transparency and public accountability are critically necessary components that cannot be meaningful or effective without state-level data and information stratified by race, ethnicity, and language.

We urge two additions to your approach moving forward. First, the community impacted, black and brown people, must be fully engaged and empowered in the initiatives to dismantle racism and create equity. This should be reflected in the Governor’s Equity Advisory Board AND in the work of Ohio agency’s through regular, ongoing engagement of affected members of the community. Second, hold monthly public meetings updating your progress on equity; annual tracking and reporting as identified in the Blueprint is wholly inadequate for an issue that is Ohio’s second pandemic. The people of Ohio have suffered the consequences of racism for too long, action can’t wait.

We were encouraged by the release of your Executive Response and your Cabinet’s commitment to each day take swift and continual actions that result in an Ohio that we can be proud of—one that every Ohioan deserves. A year later, there has been little public progress towards these combined 44 goals. Advocates for Ohio’s Future (AOF) and our member organizations are asking for transparency, accountability and robust community involvement moving forward.

We endeavor to be partners in your racial equity and antiracist initiatives and stand ready to support you in whatever way we can.

Sincerely,

Kelsey Bergfeld

Director

 

Cc: Director Ursel McElroy, Ohio Department of Aging

Director Alisha Nelson, RecoveryOhio

Director Angela Dawson, Ohio Commission on Minority Health

Jamie Carmichael, Ohio Department of Health

Jennifer Adair, Ohio Department of Administrative Services

Ohio House of Representatives Majority and Minority Leadership

Ohio Senate Majority and Minority Leadership

Access a PDF of our letter HERE.

AOF Opposes 'Vaccine Choice Act'

House Bill 248 (Rep. Jennifer Gross (R), HD-52, West Chester) known as the Vaccine Choice and Anti-Discrimination Act, received an all testimony hearing earlier this week in House Health Committee. This bill proposes to:

  • Prohibit mandatory vaccinations, vaccination status disclosures, and certain other actions regarding vaccinations.

  • Authorize an individual to bring a civil action if the individual believes a violation has occurred and requires the court to award a prevailing plaintiff attorney’s fees, compensation for court costs, and any civil penalty the court considers appropriate.

HB 248 seeks to eliminate current fundamental and basic public health and safety measures trusted to keep Ohioans healthy and safe while leaving many more vulnerable to the threat of the Coronavirus.

We are concerned that the changes proposed in House Bill 248 will result in lower immunization rates, poor data collection, and more outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases. In turn, greater instances of vaccine-preventable diseases will impact the long-term health and economic stability of our state, already struggling to emerge and recover from an ongoing public health and economic crisis.

Current law already grants exemptions for medical contraindications signed by a physician and for religious and philosophical beliefs for state required vaccines for children entering daycare or school. House Bill 248 greatly expands current exemptions and is likely to result in fewer children receiving immunizations.

Speaker of the House Bob Cupp (R-Lima) and the House majority leadership team issued a statement that pauses any further action on the "Vaccine Choice Act," HB248, after the Tuesday, Aug. 24 hearing, where there were no amendments or votes. Cupp said, “We will then pause hearings on HB248 while we work with the chairman, the bill’s sponsor, and all interested parties on this important issue.”

We urge our elected officials to protect the health and safety of their constituents by opposing House Bill 248, and work towards policies that support the safety and security of Ohioans in times of crisis.

Read our full comments HERE

A Case of Conscience: Fighting the Medical Conscience Clause

by: Sarah Hudacek, AOF Policy Assistant

A small medical conscience clause with a big impact was added at the last minute by the Senate to the state budget bill without any public hearings or opportunities for comment. The provision allows clinicians, institutions, and insurers to decline to perform or pay for health care services if those services do not align with their moral, ethical or religious beliefs.

Federal law already allows a provider to decline to provide a medical service due to objections of conscience, but compels doctors to find another physician to perform the service. This provision removes that requirement, and prevents a practitioner, institution or insurance company from facing any liability for declining to do so.

The provision casts a wide net. Doctors and nurses can decline to perform necessary procedures, lab techs can refuse to analyze test results or perform screening procedures, insurance companies can refuse to cover a procedure already performed by a doctor, a pharmacist can refuse to dispense birth control even if a patient has a valid prescription, and more.

Advocates across the state have warned that this provision would legalize discrimination against LGBTQ patients, minorities, marginalized groups such as those with substance use disorders or a sexually transmitted disease and could prevent women from accessing birth control and other family planning and reproductive health care services.

It also carries implications for Ohioans in rural communities with limited access to medical providers, or those residing in long-term care, where finding an alternate provider is easier said than done.

Despite opposition from AOF and many of our partner organizations to Governor DeWine and state legislators, the medical conscience clause survived the General Assembly’s conference committee proceedings and was not included in Governor DeWine’s 14 vetoes. This provision was enacted when the state budget bull was signed in the early hours of July 2 and is current law.

Arkansas, South Dakota and Montana have enacted similar medical conscience clause laws. In 2019, a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services medical conscience clause was struck down by a U.S. District Court.

AOF will be closely monitoring any legal challenges to this harmful law and will continue advocating against it.

AOF Review of House Bill 110, the State Operating Budget

AOF has compiled a run-down of the major health and human services provisions in the final version of the state operating budget. Check out our review below:

Tax Cuts 

  • $1.7 billion income tax cut over the next two years 

  • Across the board 3% income tax cut for most Ohioans  

  • Eliminates the top two tax brackets and replaces them with a 3.99% tax rate 

    • This means that the wealthiest 1% of Ohioans will receive more than a 16% cut in taxes while most Ohioans only have a 3% cut 

Medicaid 

  • Requires Medicaid coverage for pregnant women for the maximum postpartum period permitted under federal law, instead of for 60 days after giving birth 

  • Redeterminations: Sets the amount of time in which ODM must conduct and act on any redetermination of a Medicaid recipient at 90 days after receiving approval from the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to conduct such redeterminations. 

    • Authorizes a county department of job and family services assisting ODM with conducting and acting on redeterminations to request from ODJFS, in consultation with the Department of Medicaid, up to 30 additional days to act on redeterminations 

    • Delays the effective date of this provision until January 1, 2022 

    • Removes requirement that ODM suspend its current procurement process and, during FY 2022, complete a new procurement process. 

  • DeWine Veto: Removes following requirements from current and future procurements: 

    • Requires ODM to, to the extent permitted by federal law, when contracting with Medicaid MCOs, include contracts with organizations that: 

      • (1) Are domiciled in Ohio, including their parent entities; 

      • (2) Are currently Medicaid MCOs; and  

      • (3) Have a proven history of quality and customer satisfaction, as reported by ODM's Medicaid Managed Care Plans Report Card and NCQA Medicaid health insurance plan ratings. 

    • Requires the contracted organizations to participate, at minimum, in the areas of Ohio where they are providing services as of the bill's effective date. 

    • Exempts from the reprocurement requirements a behavioral health managed care plan selected to assist with implementing the Ohio Resilience through Integrated Systems and Excellence (OhioRISE) Program. 

SNAP Eligibility 

  • Requires the ODJFS Director to submit an application to the U.S. Department of Agriculture for participation in the Elderly Simplified Application Project within the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) 

  • All Removed (SB17 Provisions) 

    • Prohibits SNAP income and asset limits from exceeding the types and allowable amounts permitted by the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.  

    • Requires ODJFS to conduct an asset test for each SNAP recipient 

    • 30 Day Change Reporting up to $500 

    • Requires ODJFS to prepare and submit baseline and subsequent quarterly reports detailing certain information regarding SNAP.  

    • Requires SNAP recipients to cooperate with the child support enforcement program 

Public Assistance Programs 

  • Creates the Public Assistance Benefits Accountability Task Force 

    • Establishes the Public Assistance Benefits Accountability Task Force consisting of 15 members 

    • Requires the Task Force to review all of the following  

      • (1) The State Auditor's report of Ohio's Medicaid Eligibility Determination Process to determine to what extent the recommendations have been adopted. 

      • (2) Past and present welfare to work county programs and their effectiveness on assisting individuals in achieving employment. 

      • (3) Existing fraud prevention efforts at the state and county levels to determine best practices for fraud prevention in the SNAP, Medicaid, Ohio Works First, and publicly funded child care programs. 

      • (4) Best practices on how overpayments in the SNAP, Medicaid, and publicly funded child care programs can be prevented at the state and county level. 

      • (5) Best practices in public assistance case processing that create efficiencies and reduce errors through the use of technology. 

      • (6) The length of time that individuals receive public assistance benefits in the state and ways to return individuals to the workforce. 

      • (7) Existing efforts to ensure compliance with child support enforcement across public assistance benefit programs and recommend additional ways compliance could be improved. 

      • (8) The costs and benefits associated with implementing a requirement that each SNAP debit card include a color photograph of at least one adult member of the household. 

    • Requires the task force to prepare and submit a report to the General Assembly  

Broadband 

  • Removes Senate-added provision to restrict government-owned broadband networks  

  • Provides $250 million cash from the GRF for Ohio Residential Broadband Expansion Grant Program 

    • Provides $230.0 million in FY 2022 and $20.0 million in FY 2023 for the program under Fund 5GTO line item 195550, Broadband Development Grants. 

TANF 

  • Kinship Caregiver Program: Restores $10 million in each fiscal year from FED Fund 3V60 line item 600689, TANF Block Grant, to support kinship care. 

    • Requires funds to be allocated via formula and requires PCSAs to use funds to provide reasonable and necessary relief of child caring functions so kinship caregivers can provide and maintain a home for a child 

K-12 School Funding 

  • “Almost entirely” restores the House’s Fair School Funding Plan  

    • Intent language speaking to how the House plan would go into effect beyond this coming biennium was deleted.

    • Proposed and previously authorized cost studies on various elements of the formula were also removed 

  • Grants Senate-proposed increases to funding for school choice programs 

  • Maintains the policy of direct state funding of choice programs that was included in both the House and Senate versions. 

Housing 

  • Removed proposal that jeopardized the continued viability of one-third of Ohio’s affordable housing properties 

    • Instead of increasing taxes on affordable housing developments, the final state budget would create a 16-member study committee charged with making recommendations about the valuation process of federally subsidized rental properties 

Child Care & Step Up to Quality 

  • PFCC eligibility increased to 142% FPL for SFY22-23 (150%FPL for families of children with special needs) 

  • Step Up to Quality (SUTQ) mandate for PFCC providers to be one-star rated is restored; requirement for PFCC providers to be highly rated by 2025 is eliminated 

  • Further defines scope of the child care & SUTQ legislative study committee (first included in House, required to report by 12/31/21) is required to evaluate access, eligibility, administrative requirements, rate setting, funding and sustainability, as well as consideration of an alternative pathway to obtaining a one-star rating for programs “with a low census of children receiving PFCC” 

  • Requires ODJFS to use any additional federal resources (specifies the December 2020 CRSA) for stabilizing and sustaining the child care system, improve workforce recruitment and retention, and increase access for families. 

Home & Community Based Services 

  • DeWine Veto Removes the 6% (4% in 2022 and 2% in 2023) increase in provider rates for PASSPORT/MyCare/Ohio Home Care personal care and assisted living and other home care rates. 

**Rate increases intended to be enacted via rule rather than statue ASAP 

Older Adults 

  • An increase of $1 million per year in the Senior Community Services line item, not earmarked.   

  • Adult Protective Services – the House added $1.5 million per year increase ($65,000 per county per year) was maintained- $5.7 million appropriated per year is the largest amount of state funding for APS ever 

Additional Items of Interest-AOF Veto Request Items 

  • Establishes a new joint legislative committee appointed every two years to examine if a new entity should be designated as the state’s Protection and Advocacy system (P&A) charged with investigating instances of abuse and neglect and protecting the rights of people with disabilities. 

  • Allows medical practitioners or health care institutions to decline to perform any health care service that violates their conscience as informed by their moral, ethical, or religious beliefs or principles.  

**Veto attempts sadly failed