Advocacy is Critical
ADVOCACY ALERT
Things are Moving Quickly. Your Voice is Needed Now.
This could affect parents’ ability to be paid through the Medicaid waiver program!
We wanted to provide an update on Ohio House Bill 795 (HB 795) and the recently introduced Substitute HB 795, which is moving quickly through the House Medicaid Committee.
Key Concern
The substitute bill includes language that appears to prohibit Medicaid waiver payment for care provided by family members, including parents, spouses, and other relatives. If enacted, this could have an immediate impact on families who rely on paid caregiving.
Why It Matters
Many families depend on paid caregiving because providers are difficult to find, and family members are often the most consistent and trusted support. These services help individuals remain at home and avoid more restrictive care.
Limiting family caregivers could:
- Reduce access to care
- Disrupt stability
- Increase strain on families and the overall system
Make Your Voice Heard by Contacting House Medicaid Committee Members
We encourage families and advocates to contact lawmakers and share their experiences. Below is a list of all 18 committee members with their email and phone numbers for quick reference.
What to Say
I’m calling about HB 795. Family caregivers are a critical part of Ohio’s developmental disability waiver system. Many families cannot find another available, qualified, and trusted provider. Please remove or revise the family caregiver restriction so we can support families while still protecting Medicaid.
- Rep. Jennifer Gross, Chair — jenniferforrep@gmail.com | 614-466-8550
- Rep. Tim Barhorst, Vice Chair — rep85@ohiohouse.gov | 614-466-1507
- Rep. Rachel Baker, Ranking Member — rep27@ohiohouse.gov | 614-644-6886
- Rep. Meredith Craig — rep77@ohiohouse.gov | 614-466-1474
- Rep. Kellie Deeter — rep54@ohiohouse.gov | 614-466-9628
- Rep. Ron Ferguson — ronforrep@gmail.com | 614-466-3735
- Rep. Derrick Hall — rep34@ohiohouse.gov | 614-466-1177
- Rep. Brian Lampton — rep70@ohiohouse.gov | 614-644-6020
- Rep. Crystal Lett — rep11@ohiohouse.gov | 614-644-6030
- Rep. Diane Mullins — rep47@ohiohouse.gov | 614-644-6721
- Rep. Scott Oelslager — rep48@ohiohouse.gov | 614-752-2438
- Rep. Bill Roemer — rep31@ohiohouse.gov | 614-644-5085
- Rep. Anita Somani — rep08@ohiohouse.gov | 614-466-5358
- Rep. Jason Stephens — rep93@ohiohouse.gov | 614-466-1366
- Rep. Brian Stewart — briansstewart@gmail.com | 614-466-1464
- Rep. Bride Rose Sweeney — rep16@ohiohouse.gov | 614-466-3350
- Rep. Desiree Tims — info@timsforcongress.com | 614-466-1607
- Rep. Josh Williams — rep44@ohiohouse.gov | 614-466-1418
Stay Informed
You can review the hearings and testimony directly by watching the July 4 House Medicaid Committee hearing.
You can read the submitted testimony from the June 3 hearing.
You can follow the bill, see committee updates, and access submitted testimony
Your voice is important!
NOW is the time to contact your U.S. Senators and Representatives and urge them to take action on these issues that seriously impact the Autism community. Call, email, and contact them on social media.
USE 5 CALLS APP
5 Calls is a platform designed to help U.S. constituents make a political impact by calling their elected officials about important issues. It provides scripts and contact information for representatives based on your location and the issues you care about.
- Choose an Issue: Start by selecting an issue you care about from the list provided on the platform.
- Enter Your Location: Input your location to find the contact information for your representatives.
- Make Your Calls: The platform will provide you with a script and the contact details of your representatives. Follow the script or personalize it with your own story for more impact.