Rep. Sweeney Receives Elected Official Advocacy Award for Championing Older Ohioans
COLUMBUS –The Ohio Association of Area Agencies on Aging (o4a) presented State Rep. Bride Rose Sweeney (D-Cleveland) with its 2026 Elected Official Advocacy Award at the o4a Annual Conference for Ohio’s Aging & Disability Network in Columbus. The award recognizes her work earlier this year to protect access to the home and community-based services that let older Ohioans and people with disabilities live independently in their own homes and communities.
In selecting Rep. Sweeney, o4a cited her willingness to dig into complex and challenging policy, noting that her attention to the details made a meaningful difference in protecting access to critical home and community-based services. That work centered on House Bill 795 and Senate Bill 315, Medicaid program integrity legislation that, as introduced, risked cutting people off from life saving care and threatened the independence and choice of where to live for our seniors and disabled community. Rep. Sweeney worked through the bills provision by provision, pressed the administration and legislative staff on the real-world effect of each change, listened to the families and caregivers who would feel it first, and worked across the aisle on changes that protected access to services while increasing steps to better protect the Medicaid program.
“This recognition says more about the advocates, families, and organizations who show up to demand better for Ohio’s seniors and people with disabilities than it does about any one person,” said Rep. Sweeney. “Ohio’s Area Agencies on Aging are essential to how good legislation gets made, and this year’s fight over access to Medicaid home care proved it. I’m proud to stand with them to protect Ohioan’s ability to live with dignity and independence. We’ve won real victories together, and the work is far from over.”
Each year, o4a recognizes elected officials who demonstrate exceptional leadership and advocacy on behalf of older Ohioans and people with disabilities. Rep. Sweeney is one of three state legislators receiving this year’s Elected Official Advocacy Award. She was honored alongside Representatives Nick Santucci and Jodi Salvo.
The Ohio Association of Area Agencies on Aging represents Ohio’s Area Agencies on Aging, which connect older adults, people with disabilities, and caregivers with services and supports that promote independence, health, and quality of life. Home and community-based services play a critical role in helping Ohioans remain in their homes and communities while accessing the care they need.
Rep. Sweeney represents Ohio’s 16th House District, which includes Westlake, Bay Village, Fairview Park, Rocky River, and Cleveland Wards 13 and 15. She serves as the Ranking Member on the Finance Committee, helping craft the State of Ohio’s $100B budget, and has long been an advocate for policies that strengthen families, expand access to essential services, and invest in Ohio’s future.
EDITOR’S NOTE: A picture of Rep. Sweeney accepting the award is attached to this press release. Courtesy: Ohio House Democrats