AARP Calls for More Support for Ohioans 50-Plus in State Budget, Maintains Accountability in Nursing Homes is Vital

Budget Bill Should Do More to Protect Ohio’s Aging Population

AARP Ohio was disappointed to learn of several provisions in the Ohio budget that will be detrimental to the safety and security of Ohioans 50-plus. In response, AARP calls for Healthy Aging Grants funding to be restored and accountability measures for nursing home funding to be included.

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“The Healthy Aging Grants program is a commonsense solution that will support Ohio’s 1.5 million family caregivers and help older Ohioans age in place, ultimately allowing them to live independently instead of forcing them to live in nursing homes," said AARP State Director Holly Holtzen. "The program would offer increased independence through access to resources and services, provide economic benefits by reducing reliance on costly publicly funded care, and support those who provide care to older Ohioans.”

AARP also continues to call for accountability and transparency in nursing homes and is asking for requirements for Ohio nursing homes to provide audited, financial statements. It also calls for a direct care payment spending ratio of 90% of all the funding, which will help ensure those increased nursing home dollars will actually be used for patient care.

“AARP continues to be a strong advocate for nursing home residents and their families," Holtzen said. "Transparency and accountability must be factored in to ensure those dollars go to patient care. Ohioans deserve transparent, real-time, consumer-friendly resources that ensure the public has better information about nursing home conditions to find the best available options when determining where they or their loved one wants to age.”

The organization supports measures that will bolster Adult Protective Services, maintain the Superintendent of Insurance’s ability to regulate solicitation from Medicare supplemental plans and prohibit unfair right-to-list agreements. This real estate practice involves companies offering upfront money to sign a long-term agreement to exclusively use that real estate company in the future when the homeowner wants to sell their home. Documentation of these agreements is then recorded ito hold future owners of the property to that exclusive agreement. That can subject homeowners to steep fees that the company will seek to recover if the homeowner transfers the property without paying that company a commission. AARP also appreciates the reinstatement of provisions that would authorize low-income housing tax credits for affordable housing projects.

AARP Ohio looks forward to working with Gov. Mike DeWine and the legislature to advance policies that allow Ohioans to thrive.

* This article was updated on June 16, 2023 regarding the status of SNAP benefit eligibility requirements in the budget bill.

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