State Budget Meetings Continue

[April 5, 2019]

The OOA continues to monitor the Ohio House of Representatives Health and Human Services Subcommittee. The finance panel convened several meetings this week hearing from health-related agency directors and administrative staff.

Of particular note were Ohio Department of Health Director Amy Acton, MD and Ohio Department of Medicaid Director Maureen Corcoran. In addition to Dr. Acton's testimony, the ODH Redbook was discussed. It is a comprehensive analysis by the Legislative Budget Office.

Total ODH budget recommendations are $676.6 million in FY 2020 and $686.7 million in FY 2021, with approximately 62.7 percent  spent on subsidies and grants to local health departments and other entities to support public health programs. Other budget proposals include General Revenue fund increase of 32.1 percent in FY 2020 and 9.0 percent in FY 2021 to support the Help Me Grow Program, provide funds for the purchase of naloxone, and support lead abatement activities. The Governor's budget also calls for an increase of approximately $1 million for the Bureau of Children with Medical Handicaps Program (BCMH).