Rep. Rader Condemns Federal Budget Proposal, Calls for State Action on SNAP, Medicaid

COLUMBUS – State Rep. Tristan Rader (D-Lakewood) today shared his strong disapproval of the pending federal budget proposal, House Resolution (HR) 1, warning that it would devastate Ohio’s most vulnerable families by drastically increasing costs for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Medicaid.

“This federal budget is an attack on working families and children,” said Rep. Rader. “At a time when many Ohioans are struggling to put food on the table and keep up with medical bills, Washington wants to hand down a budget that shifts hundreds of millions of dollars in costs to states like ours. This forces many organizations on the front lines to stretch their dollars even more just to keep the lights on.”

• According to a nonpartisan analysis prepared by the Ohio Legislative Service Commission, HR 1 would:
• Force Ohio to pay $535.7M annually in SNAP benefits based on current payment error rates—costs the federal government has always fully covered.
• Increase Ohio’s administrative burden for SNAP by $73M, shifting the federal cost share from 50% to just 25%.
• Potentially raise total SNAP-related state costs to as high as $965.8M if error rates increase—which is likely under the bill’s zero-tolerance policy.
• Impose new SNAP work requirements on adults aged 54 to 64, and limit hardship exemption for families with children.
• Require more frequent Medicaid eligibility checks, likely leading to both higher administrative costs and the loss of coverage for eligible recipients.
• Threaten more than $1B in hospital funding by potentially blocking Ohio’s planned provider tax increase.

“These numbers aren’t just lines on a budget spreadsheet,” said Rep. Rader. “They represent real people—seniors, children, working parents—who will lose access to groceries and medical care unless Ohio steps up.”

Rep. Rader called on leaders in the Ohio General Assembly to protect families in the state budget currently being finalized.

“I urge my colleagues—on both sides of the aisle—to reject this harmful federal vision and instead invest in protecting SNAP, Medicaid, and the dignity of every Ohioan,” said Rep. Rader. “If D.C. won’t put families first, then Ohio must.”

EDITOR’S NOTE: For further information, Rep. Rader’s office can provide the full budget impact memo.