These days, Ohio’s health care system increasingly resembles a house divided against itself.
Many Ohioans are struggling with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic just months after the emergency declaration was lifted.
Ohio’s stark health disparities have amplified the prevalence of noncommunicable diseases and worsened health outcomes, according to the Health Policy Institute.
Specifically, maternal mortality and opioid overdose deaths have been exacerbated in recent years in Ohio.
Why does Ohio’s healthcare system need to change?
These are driven by many factors that ultimately prevent marginalized groups from seeking appropriate care. Addressing these disparities by establishing an inclusive and effective health care system is critical to fostering a more equitable society for Ohioans.
As Ohioans suffer from noncommunicable diseases, two concerns stand out: maternal mortality and opioid overdoses.
Alarmingly, Ohio ranks second in the nation for total overdose deaths, with the opioid overdose death rate per 100,000 population being 29.6 compared to 11.9 in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control.
Franklin County saw a 40% increase in overdose deaths between 2019 and 2020, with more than 750 residents unintentionally overdosing in 2020. The maternal mortality rate in Ohio is 29.8 per 100,000 births alive for black mothers, compared to 13.7 for white mothers.
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Ohio lawmakers must implement progressive policies that create structural change at the state level.
For new mothers, Medicaid can be expanded to include coverage for doula services to help mothers throughout pregnancy.
Additionally, harm reduction strategies should aim to assist and rehabilitate opioid users. Naloxone training programs for community members save lives in emergencies National Library of Medicine.
Supervised consumption sites create controlled environments for opioid use, reducing the risk of overdose.
How Would Universal Health Care Help Ohioans?
Now that 100,000 Ohioans have become unenrolled in Medicaid as of July 2023 (with more disenrollment to come), policies must be developed to protect these individuals.
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House Bill 446, the Ohio Health Care Plan, establishes universal health coverage for every Ohio citizen.
This plan includes a comprehensive healthcare package that eliminates co-pays, premiums and deductibles. Such policies can further reduce maternal mortality rates and overdose deaths.
On a broader level, there are ways to alleviate these problems. There is a national movement to pass Medicare for All resolutions in municipalities to support the 2023 Medicare for All Act.
Cleveland, Dayton, Toledo and Lucas County are just a few cities that unanimously passed resolutions supporting Medicare for All.
The Columbus City Council must put the health of its constituents first and pass similar resolutions to ensure the right to health of Columbus residents.
At this critical time, when the very foundation of accessible health care is under threat in Ohio, Ohio lawmakers must prioritize accessible health care services. It is not enough to simply acknowledge the current state of health care; rather, structural change is needed at all levels. Federal policy reforms such as the Medicare for All Act can set new standards for health care accessibility and affordability.
State-level initiatives such as the Ohio Health Care Plan can build on these foundations.
Additionally, local municipalities can play a central role in combatting maternal mortality and opioid overdoses to improve the lives of Ohioans. Our legislatures must put health care at the forefront of change, because if it is not accessible, it is not acceptable.
Amber Akhter is a junior at Case Western Reserve University studying biochemistry and medical anthropology.
Sean Liu is a junior at Case Western Reserve University studying psychology and medical anthropology. is part of Partners in Health, a global organization focused on local and global health equity.
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