07/17/2025

Aging Director Ursel McElroy Outlines Things to Come After Passage of the State Budget

Ohio Department of Aging Director Ursel McElroy talked about the positive outcomes for the agency coming out of the FY26-27 state operating budget. The final measure included $259.5 million in all-funds for the agency, an increase over the $258.5 million requested in the as-introduced version, and $52.4 million in general revenue funds compared to the $51.4 million sought by Governor DeWine.  According to the Director, the provided appropriations position the agency to pursue its overarching goals of building on its progress in addressing healthy aging, Alzheimer's disease and other dementias, home- and community-based services and nursing home care.

The Director spoke specifically to the increase of the personal needs allowance for residents. That item, like several others affecting older Ohioans, does not appear in the agency's spending outline, but rather in the Ohio Department of Medicaid's (ODM) budget. Gov. Mike DeWine vetoed the personal needs allowance increase from $50 to $75 per month for residents of nursing homes and intermediate care facilities due to concerns the language could be interpreted to retroactively apply back to 2016. He has already directed ODM, however, to implement the increase through the rulemaking process.

The governor also vetoed a rate add-on for dialysis treatment provided to nursing facility residents that also expands the pool of providers eligible for funding, but McElroy said the decision was made solely because the administration does not support setting rates in statute. She went on to clarify that the add-on will still be accomplished, but in a way that rates won't be in statute.

McElroy also celebrated changes to the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE), including support for the amendment around prompt start of services for prospective participants during the time period that their Medicaid eligibility is being determined. She went on to note that those who are able to be enrolled in the PACE model benefit from earlier enrollment on the program, and that this added provision makes that possible.

Meanwhile, like other agencies that overlap with Medicaid, the Department is keeping a close eye on the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The agency is still assessing not only how the bill will impact older Ohioans, but also their caregivers.