House Bill 7: A Milestone for Ohio’s Youngest Children and Families

By Lynanne Gutierrez, President & CEO

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Today was a remarkable day for Ohio’s children and families. I had the honor of attending the bill signing for House Bill 7, a milestone in our collective journey to ensure that every child in Ohio has the opportunity to thrive. Standing in the room, I felt the weight of this moment and its significance for families across our state.

 As a mother of three young children and a lifelong advocate, this milestone feels deeply personal. I first met Governor DeWine as a new mom with my oldest child, just six weeks old. Now, standing here today with my six-week-old daughter in my arms, I am reminded of how much progress we’ve made—and how much work still lies ahead.

House Bill 7 represents critical steps forward for Ohio’s youngest children, including a transformative new approach to early childhood mental health diagnoses, prioritization of home visiting programs for families in greatest need, and strengthened interagency collaboration to ensure timely and coordinated care for families.

In addition to the policy gains of House Bill 7, the most recently passed state budget included language authorizing multi-year continuous Medicaid coverage for eligible babies and toddlers through their third birthday. This policy has the potential to provide much-needed stability during the most crucial years of development for approximately half of all Ohio babies born on Medicaid. 

Since the enactment of continuous Medicaid coverage for eligible young children in Ohio in 2023, ten other states have secured Medicaid waivers to operationalize similar initiatives. Ohio has yet to take this step. Without federal approval and a clear implementation plan, we risk losing the opportunity to provide essential support to our youngest and most vulnerable residents. Our work is far from over. Continuous coverage is not just a policy; it is a lifeline for families facing significant barriers.

Today, as we celebrate this legislative victory, I urge us to focus on the next steps. We remain steadfast in our commitment to working with Ohio’s policy makers during the upcoming budget cycle to prioritize policies and investments that tackle the alarming infant and maternal mortality crisis in Ohio.

We cannot afford to let this time go to waste. How do you feel about this issue? I’d love to hear your thoughts and ideas as we continue this critical work together. Take a moment to share your feedback here. 

We must all remain steadfast in our commitment to ensuring every child in Ohio has the chance to reach their full potential. Together, we are shaping a brighter future.