Governor Mike DeWine sent a letter to then President-elect Biden on January 18 asking for additional funding and resources to help Ohio fight the coronavirus pandemic.
First on his list of requests was more vaccines-an effort President Biden has pledged to address via executive order. The Governor says the state can handle standing up more mass vaccine sites but must first have an adequate supply to distribute. He also specifically asked for assistance on a strategy to vaccinate seasonal and migrant workers who are critical to Ohio’s farm economy.
DeWine also asks for a robust national television, radio, and social media campaign on the merits of the vaccine and mask-wearing to supplement the new state media campaign that hit airwaves this week.
In addition to CARES Act dollars, he asks President Biden to urge Congress to provide $350 billion to state and local governments and greater flexibility to better target federal dollars.
To ensure Ohioans have access to health care, especially those who lost their jobs and health coverage during the pandemic, Governor DeWine requested President Biden have his Administration extend the temporary increased federal Medicaid support (eFMAP) and create a step-down process tied to the gradual process of economic recovery rather than continue the threat of an abrupt stop every 90 days. Currently, Ohio receives an additional $300 million in federal Medicaid dollars per quarter to support increasing caseloads in the Medicaid program.
He closes with a request for significant federal investments in public health infrastructure and flexible resources to address the lack of (and barriers to) broadband access for over one million Ohioans.
Read Governor DeWine’s full letter HERE