Public Policy
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Sue Hetrick - Director of Public Policy
In an effort to stay closely connected to legislative matters facing Ohioans living with disabilities, and as a support for all fellow CIL’s in the state, The Ability Center maintains an Office of Public Policy in Columbus.
From this office the Center can monitor legislation, help to move forward potential legislation and respond immediately, if necessary, to political change. The Office of Public Policy provides input to legislators while alerting Ohioans with disabilities to opportunities in which they can become involved in influencing policy.
Public Policy Office
670 Morrison Road, Suite 200
Gahanna, OH 43230
614.575.8055 (Voice)
866.575.8055 (Toll Free)
614.861.0392 (Fax)
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LATEST NEWS
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Nursing Home Budget Protest
NURSING HOME BUDGET PROTEST, 06/30/09
Ohio Statehouse, Third Street Side
On Tuesday, June 30th, about 70 advocates from across Ohio spent the day sharing information, singing songs and shouting slogans. Four advocates had a meeting with Governor Strickland. The concerns are shared in the following press release.
Press Release – 06/29/09
The question is a simple one: given a change in your circumstances, would you rather live the balance of your life in a nursing home or in your own home with the proper and necessary supports, like a ramp, home modifications and/or home health assistance?
What if you had no choice?
Nursing Home Budget Protest - 2
Currently, Ohio legislators are considering the state’s proposed budget for the next biennium. In the effort to achieve a balanced budget, they are being forced to consider widespread and deep cuts to all aspects of spending: education, transportation and infrastructure, health-care, social supports, recreation and the arts.
But there is one glaring omission to the reductions: long-term care. The nursing home and long-term care industry has convinced Ohio lawmakers that there is only one safe solution to the caring for of elderly and disabled Ohioans: they should be taken care of in their facilities.
As a result, while support to Home and Community-based services have been slashed by at least 20%, the Democratic-controlled House has proposed to enrich the budget for long-term care by $250 million and the Republican-controlled Senate has proposed an additional $150 million. The Republican Senate has gone further: proposing $13.7 billion – $1.2 billion more than Gov. Strickland has recommended – over the next four years.
ACT Staff, Board and Consumers were all part of the protest
Elderly and Disabled Ohioans are outraged. They and the organizations that support them know that nursing homes are NOT the answer. They know that Home and Community-based Support provides not only the safest, most economical solution for aging and disabled Ohioans, it also provides for the best quality of life: living in one’s own home, surrounded by family and friends, participating in and contributing to one’s community.
On Tuesday, June 30th, from 8:30 am until 5 pm, Elderly and Disabled Ohioans and the organizations that support them will be outside the Ohio Statehouse protesting the above inequities. This grassroots gathering wishes to convey the sense of anger and disappointment felt toward a state legislation that ranks 44th in the nation in the level of Medicaid spending directed to home and community-based services vs. institutional care.
This protest is being led by the Ohio Olmstead Task Force (OOTF) and the Ohio Association of Centers for Independent Living (OACIL).
Sue Hetrick speaks to the group
Everybody busy
Our Homes, Not Nursing Homes!
Planning For a Meeting with the Governor