The Center for Community Solutions

When a community is hit by a crisis, the first responders are often not government agencies or hospitals. They are nonprofit organizations. Despite being treated as emergency infrastructure in moments of crisis, nonprofits are funded and regulated as if stability, not volatility, is the norm. Read more: commsols.com/nonprofitssafetynet

Language complexities in HR 1 led to a narrow interpretation of SNAP work requirements. Adults over age 60 would not be eligible for all exemptions. After clarification from Food and Nutrition Services, ODJFS responded quickly to prevent older Ohioans from mistakenly losing SNAP benefits. Read more: commsols.com/snapolderohioans

The menopausal transition is a major public health issue that affects women’s health, relationships, and the ability to work. Stronger research, better provider training, and policies that expand affordable, equitable care are essential to improving support for women. Read the report: commsols.com/MenopausalTransition

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Continuum of Care program is the largest federal funding source for homeless services. Ohio communities are at risk of losing $64.6 million in CoC resources, and more than 7,400 Ohioans may lose their housing under the new funding rules. Read more: commsols.com/housingjusticechanges

The federal Food and Nutrition Service has made it clear that SNAP recipients ages 60 to 64 qualify for the same work requirement exemptions as younger recipients. We ask ODJFS to return to JCARR, as the bipartisan committee members suggested, and revise the state's rule. Read the FAQ: www.fna.usda.gov/obbb/snap/time-limit-changes-qas1

Our attention over the past few months has dug deep into Medicaid policy analysis, caregivers, House Bill 795, Senate Bill 315, waste-fraud-abuse, access to care, work requirements, SNAP fraud, and EBT chips. And there's even some good news! Watch at 8:54: www.ideastream.org/shows/state-ohio/episodes/the-state-of-ohio-show-june-12-2026-vcealo

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services released its Interim Final Rule implementing the Medicaid community engagement provisions enacted in H.R. 1. While much of the debate has focused on work requirements themselves, the IFR raises a number of operational, administrative, and provider-related questions that deserve closer attention: commsols.com/ifrmedicaidhottakes

Last week, the Ohio House Medicaid Committee heard testimony on House Bill 795. Nearly three hours of testimony on June 3 showed the immense impact of hearing from the voices of people who will be most impacted by policy change. Watch the testimony: commsols.com/WatchTestimony6-3

Our view on HB 795 has prioritized the ethos of “first, do not harm.” Any suspected fraud, which is a crime, should absolutely be addressed. It should not, however, come at any cost or loss of access to Ohioans receiving home and community-based services or caregiving in the home. Read the testimony: commsols.com/HB795Medicaid

Levies are instrumental investments in the health of Ohioans. In the May primary election, voters decided on a number of health and human service levies, 23 across Ohio. Of the levies appearing in the election, 13 passed and 10 did not. Read more: commsols.com/hhsmay2026ballotoutcomes