In Touch: News from o4a      |      Visit our website:  www.ohioaging.org

"June is a time to honor the power of inclusion, belonging, and the freedom to live fully at every stage of life. By embracing the strength in our different perspectives—of experience, identity, and age—we build communities where everyone has the opportunity to contribute, grow, and thrive. When we value each person across the lifespan, we all benefit." -Beth Kowalczyk, CEO

U.S. House Passes Reconciliation Bill, Moves to Senate 

Last week, the House passed their reconciliation bill, titled the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act.” The bill passed narrowly, 215–214. The bill cuts more than a trillion dollars from Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) combined. 

Among many changes outlined in the bill, it will expand work requirements for Medicaid applicants ages 19-64, restrict states’ ability to finance their share of Medicaid spending through provider taxes, and shift significant administrative and benefits costs for the SNAP program to the states. The proposed cuts would result in 10.3 million people losing Medicaid coverage according to partial estimates from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) and could force millions of people off the SNAP program. 

Before the bill passed, o4a joined 29 other aging and disability organizations in sending a letter to Ohio's legislators explaining the importance of protecting Medicaid, which provides vital healthcare for 2.9 million adults and children in our state. o4a also joined the Ohio Medicaid Matters, a coalition of more than 80 of the state’s leading health advocacy groups, hospital systems and human service organizations, calling on Congress to reject harmful Medicaid cuts that threaten the foundation of Ohio’s economy.

The Senate is up next to vote on this bill with the goal of sending it to President Trump’s desk by the Fourth of July. Advocacy is critical to prevent major detrimental cuts and policy changes to Medicaid and SNAP. 

Older Americans Act Update

A leaked FY 2026 budget draft from April revealed proposals to split up the Older Americans Act's (OAA) integral programs across two agencies, sending all but the OAA nutrition programs to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), and zeroing out a number of critical OAA programs. However, new formal documents shared Friday by the Trump Administration indicate a change of plan.

According to supplemental budget materials officially released by HHS, all of its OAA programs and many other aging and disability programs previously administered by the Administration for Community Living (ACL) will move to a newly renamed Administration for Children, Families and Communities.

Additionally, the budget materials do not include any funding cuts to OAA programs including the State Health Insurance Assistance Programs (SHIPs), Aging and Disability Resource Centers and Adult Protective Services. 

This news is an excellent example that advocacy works and our voices matter!

State Budget: Senate Sub-Bill on the Horizon

Over the month of May the Ohio Senate held many hearings across standing committees on the state budget bill (House Bill 96). o4a testified before the Senate Health Committee, the Senate Finance Committee and submitted testimony to the Senate Medicaid Committee on the amendments we'd like to see added to the budget bill. 

Doug McGarry, Executive Director, Area Agency on Aging, PSA 2, Teresa Reed-Powell, Director of Community Services, Area Agency on Aging District 7, and Justin Moor, President/CEO, Area Office on Aging for Northwestern Ohio also testified or submitted comments to the Senate Health Committee. Jennifer Westfall, Aging and Health Director, Buckeye Hills Regional Council testified to the Senate Government Oversight and Reform committee on the proposed changes to the funding structure of the Ohio Housing Trust Fund.

The Senate is scheduled to release their first round of changes this week with another amendment deadline Friday June 6th. The omnibus amendment and a vote in Senate Finance Committee and by the full Senate is expected the week of June 9th, leaving two full weeks for conference committee. Both the House and Senate must approve the conference report before the bill heads to Governor DeWine's desk by June 30th. 

State Plan on Aging: Community Listening Sessions

Throughout June 2025, the Ohio Department of Aging will be hosting community listening sessions to learn from the experiences of older adults and caregivers across Ohio. Lunch or refreshments will be served and participants will receive a $50 gift card. Registration is required and space is limited. These sessions will be facilitated by the Health Policy Institute of Ohio and will be hosted in six Ohio communities: 

• Trotwood (Montgomery county) Monday June 2, 11am-1pm Mason Community Conference Center at Goodwill Easter Seals. Register: 937-341-3096

• Waverly (Pike County) Thursday June 5, 2pm-4pm Pike County Senior Center. Register: 1-800-582-7277 ext. 22224

• Youngstown (Mahoning county) Monday June 14, 10am-12pm Direction Home of Eastern Ohio. Register: 330-505-2300

• Marietta (Washington county) Wednesday June 25, 12:30pm-2:30pm Buckeye Hills Regional Council. Register: 1-800-331-2644 ext. 2210

• Maumee (Lucas county) Details coming soon

• Cleveland (Cuyahoga county) Details coming soon

o4a Joins Ohio Medicaid Matters Coalition 

o4a is proud to join more than 80 of the state’s leading health advocacy groups, hospital systems and human service organizations in the Ohio Medicaid Matters Coalition (OMM). OMM is committed to promoting Medicaid as a foundation of health and economic stability, recognizing that access to healthcare empowers Ohioans to work, contribute and drive economic growth.

Join the coalition or share your story about how Medicaid has made a difference in your life here. 

2026 Next Generation MyCare Ohio Roll Out and Community Visits

The Ohio Department of Medicaid (ODM) has announced the schedule for implementing the statewide expansion of its Next Generation MyCare Ohio program beginning in January 2026. The program is designed to better serve Ohioans who are dually eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid healthcare coverage. 

ODM will roll the Next Generation MyCare program out in two phases, beginning with each of the 29 counties where MyCare Ohio is currently available. Statewide expansion of the MyCare program will follow as quickly as possible. 

ODM will also be attending community events around the state such as senior center events, and expos, as well as holding informational community visits to spread the word and answer questions about the program. During these visits, ODM will share more information about the Next Generation MyCare program, explain potential impacts and actions required, and answer any questions about this transition.

Learn more about the 2026 Next Generation MyCare Ohio roll out and ODM's community visits here.