bi3 recognizes that improving community health requires more than good programs. It requires actively encouraging our leaders to make positive decisions on policies that shape people’s health and lives.
Advocating for change with our elected and government leaders is one of bi3’s core strategies for advancing our mission and realizing our vision that all people in Greater Cincinnati have a fair and just opportunity to achieve their best health. Our advocacy efforts prioritize improving maternal, infant, and young child health and increasing funding and support for mental health and wellness. Government is exponentially the largest funder and provider of health and human services. bi3 can provide the resources and funding organizations need to think differently and try new things to address old problems, but sustainability is often dependent on public partnerships.
For the first time, bi3 engaged in the Ohio State Budget Process by giving public testimony and meeting with and lobbying members of the Ohio General Assembly to enact Governor DeWine’s proposed budget, which included several proposed increases to support more children and families.
While the final budget, which was passed and signed into law in late June, did not include all the provisions we were hoping for, we were encouraged that funding did not decrease for several of the core programs for babies and young children, including the Maternal and Infant Vitality Initiative and Help Me Grow. These investments will continue to support all moms, babies, and youth in Ohio.
While Governor DeWine fought to maintain continuous Medicaid coverage in Ohio for children aged 0-3, federal changes now prevent states from offering it. Despite this setback, we plan to encourage state leaders to develop an easy and accessible enrollment process so that moms, babies, and young children do not have a gap in coverage, ensuring they have access to physical and mental healthcare services.
Other positives from the Ohio Budget include:
- Funding to expand the Youth Mobile Response and Stabilization Services (MRSS) to all 88 counties in Ohio. MRSS provides structured support to people under 21 who are experiencing a behavioral health crisis. Its services include in-home care in the period immediately following a crisis.
- Expanded Medicaid reimbursement for doula services to all Ohio counties.
Moving forward, we will continue collaborating with our Ohio leaders, sharing what we learn from our research, partnerships, and investments, so that Ohio moms, babies and children all have a fair and just opportunity to achieve their best health.
Jill Miller
President & CEO, bi3
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