The past year has been unlike any other. The COVID-19 pandemic, a resulting economic crisis and a reckoning on deep and persistent racial disparities in the state and country should shape the state’s 2022-2023 budget deliberations. The Center for Community Solutions has developed budget priorities that are informed by this landscape and the pressing issues that have been a long-time focus of our organization.
Support policies that target staggering racial disparities in maternal outcomes, including insurance coverage for midwife and doula services.
Maternal health
Support policies that target staggering racial disparities in maternal outcomes, including insurance coverage for midwife and doula services; complete and timely data collection and reporting (e.g. maternal morbidity and pregnancy complications) to make informed policy decisions; and career-long education for health care workers to address disparities in care.
Medicaid
Maintain current eligibility and benefit standards in Medicaid and make access to coverage and services more effective. This would include an intentional focus on addressing the social determinants of health, particularly for children and through the procurement of managed care.
Ensure support continues to be available to work toward eliminating voluntary custody relinquishment for families in need.
Multi-system youth
Support the recommendations of the Multi-System Youth (MSY) Action Plan and current state efforts to develop a program that can provide more comprehensive care for children with complex needs - wrap around services for MSY. As these programs are fully developed, the state must ensure support continues to be available to work toward eliminating voluntary custody relinquishment for families in need.
Older adults
Advocate for continued and increased funding for services, including through the Senior Community Services funding. We also plan to advocate for access to nutritious food, health care and broadband services to ensure older adults are safe and supported in the setting of their choice.
Counties need the capacity and resources to be able to process applications for programs such as TANF and SNAP.
Improving safety-net services
Ensure that safety-net services are as responsive as possible to the needs of Ohio families – something that is essential in the midst of the current public health and economic crises. This would include supporting policies that prioritize a swift economic recovery through efficient and effective access to relief and benefit programs. Counties need the capacity and resources to be able to process applications for programs such as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to ensure families are able to meet their most immediate needs. Improving safety-net services also requires timely and accessible data to identify gaps in services. Community Solutions supports budget policies that enhance data transparency.
