For Immediate Release
The Ohio Nurses Association is outraged—but sadly not surprised—that Governor Mike DeWine has signed the state operating budget without using his veto power to protect public health, rural healthcare, or the future of Ohio’s economy.
Instead of standing up for the patients, providers, and communities that rely on a functioning healthcare system, Governor DeWine stood by while lawmakers approved billions in corporate giveaways, including $600 million in public funds to subsidize a new stadium for the Cleveland Browns. This comes as Medicaid faces devastating cuts that will wipe out access to care across much of the state.
Paired with the looming federal “Big Beautiful Bill,” this budget accelerates the collapse of Ohio’s healthcare infrastructure—especially in rural communities, where hospital closures are already threatening lives. These cuts won’t just impact those on Medicaid. They will hurt everyone. Fewer providers, longer wait times, overburdened ERs, reduced services, and shuttered hospitals mean worse health outcomes for all Ohioans—regardless of income or insurance.
When a rural hospital closes, it’s not just a health crisis—it’s an economic one. Jobs disappear. Entire communities unravel. Healthcare is one of Ohio’s largest employment sectors. Allowing this industry to collapse will ripple across the entire state economy, affecting every community.
Meanwhile, our nurses and health professionals are sounding the alarm. We’ve lived through staffing shortages, wage suppression, violence on the job, and burnout. We continue to show up for our patients—but our warnings are being ignored by leaders who prioritize headlines over healing.
The Browns may have scored a win, but Ohioans are the ones paying the price.
Invest in care, not corporate vanity projects.
The Ohio Nurses Association demands a complete reversal of these harmful priorities. Lawmakers must act now to reinvest in Medicaid, rural healthcare, public health infrastructure, and education. Every delay risks lives—and the future of Ohio’s communities.
Rick Lucas, BSN, RN, CCRN
ONA President & Executive Director