COLUMBUS, OH – June 10, 2025 – The American Heart Association today expressed profound disappointment with the Ohio Senate's substitute version of the budget bill, HB 96, calling it a "devastating blow to the future health of Ohioans." The proposed budget, released today, significantly underfunds crucial public health programs while allocating resources to other priorities.

“Ohio has a critical opportunity to prioritize the health and well-being of its residents,” said Dustin Holfinger, Government Relations Director for the Ohio American Heart Association. “We’re concerned that the Senate’s current budget cuts vital services for low-income Ohioans at a time when so many of our friends and neighbors are struggling financially. We urge lawmakers to refocus on investments in proven, life-saving strategies that improve health outcomes for every community across the state.”

The Association highlights several critical omissions and detrimental provisions in the Senate's version of HB 96:

  • No Funding for Tobacco Prevention: Despite the ongoing public health crisis related to tobacco, vaping and oral nicotine products, the Senate retained the House’s $1.5M/year cut to the Tobacco Use Prevention Fund.
  • No Support for CPR Training: The budget fails to allocate continued funding for the legislatively enacted CPR training curriculum requirement for schools, a vital initiative to equip students with life-saving skills.
  • Lack of Cardiac Arrest Registry Funding: There is no funding for the Ohio Cardiac Arrest Registry to Enhance Survival (OH CARES), a critical tool for tracking and improving responses to cardiac arrests that occur outside of a hospital.
  • Stagnant Tobacco Tax: The bill includes no adjustment to the decade-old cigarette tax level, missing a key opportunity to discourage tobacco use and generate revenue for important programs to improve health.
  • No Vape Store Registry: The absence of a provision to create a vape store registry hinders efforts to ensure these retailers comply with the Tobacco 21 law, protecting youth from dangerous tobacco products.
  • Threat to Medicaid Coverage: The Senate retained an explicit provision that could potentially cut Medicaid coverage for 770,000 Ohioans if the Federal match drops below 90%. This threatens access to essential health care coverage for a significant portion of the state's residents, including people who are caregivers, living with chronic health issues, and work jobs that do not provide health insurance.
  • Diversion of Health Funds: Compounding these concerns, the Senate decided to redirect any interest from the Tobacco Use Prevention Fund to the General Revenue Fund, further stripping resources from vital health initiatives rather than increasing investments in these important programs.

While the overall outlook for public health funding is grim, the Association acknowledges one positive inclusion in the Senate's budget:

  • Continued Support for SNAP Double Up Food Bucks: The Senate did retain the House-appropriated funding ($1M/year) for the SNAP Double Up Food Bucks Program (Produce Perks). This is positive news for Ohioans using SNAP, providing a financial incentive to purchase healthier foods and supporting local farmers markets and independent grocers.

The American Heart Association urges the Ohio Legislature and Governor DeWine to reconsider these critical public health investments as the budget process moves forward into the Conference Committee process.

 

###

 

About the American Heart Association
The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. Dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities, the organization has been a leading source of health information for more than one hundred years. Supported by more than 35 million volunteers globally, we fund groundbreaking research, advocate for the public’s health, and provide critical resources to save and improve lives affected by cardiovascular disease and stroke. By driving breakthroughs and implementing proven solutions in science, policy, and care, we work tirelessly to advance health and transform lives every day. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.

 

For Media Inquiries:
Brianne Ballard; Brianne.ballard@heart.org
For Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721)
heart.org and stroke.org