Ohio lawmakers push for medical day cares to aid families in need

CINCINNATI —Medical day cares are one step closer to becoming a reality in Ohio.

These are fully-functioning day cares with medical directors and staff. A bill to make them legal is advancing in the Statehouse.

Families from all over come to Cincinnati Children's to receive lifesaving treatment for their children. But once in Cincinnati, there are no licensed medical day cares for kids who need medical assistance.

That is where House Bill 141 comes into play. It would allow for prescribed pediatric extended care centers.

PPECCs are already licensed in many states, including Kentucky.

They have a typical day care setting and are equipped with a full medical staff ready to assist.

One of the sponsors of the bill, Rachel Baker, D-OH 27, represents Cincinnati. She says PPECCs would make a huge difference for families with children who have special health care needs.

"This would give some respite to those parents, and allow them to have a stable day care option so they can work. And then for the kiddos, you know, being able to not just be safe, but socialize and make friends and have those normal, typical, early childhood experiences."

She says it would also expand choices for families.

"Our day cares are typically not able to provide care for these kiddos," Baker said. "So they are either at home with parents providing care. They're at home with a one-on-one nurse sitting with them all day, or they might end up in one of our long-term residential facilities. We kind of need all those options because every family is different."

Cincinnati Children's said, "The addition of PPEC services in Ohio would provide a critically necessary service ... by extending childcare access to Ohio's most vulnerable children with medical complexities."

This bill goes to the House floor next. Baker is hopeful it will be voted on before summer break.

The goal is for the bill to be passed by the end of 2026.