September 12, 2025 n nColumbus, Ohio – Recent reporting highlights how Senator Husted’s backing of disruptive trade policies is negatively affecting Ohio’s agricultural sector, while his support for reductions in Medicaid funding threatens children’s access to free school meals and essential dental services. n nCoverage across the state includes: n nStatehouse News Bureau: Ohio farmers face mounting pressure from unpredictable tariff policies and inconsistent weather patterns n nAgriculture remains the largest industry in Ohio, supporting one out of every eight jobs statewide. With harvest season underway, many producers express concern over potential financial losses due to shifting trade dynamics and environmental challenges. n nTy Higgins, Senior Director of Communications and Media Relations at the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation, noted that trade barriers have particularly harmed soybean growers. n n“China hasn’t purchased any U.S. farm goods this year, and not long ago, a third of Ohio’s soybean output was shipped directly to China. That’s a significant portion of our market now missing,” he said. n nHiggins also pointed out that imported farming inputs have become more expensive, raising production costs for local growers. n nNews 5 Cleveland: Stricter SNAP and Medicaid rules may eliminate free school meals for many children n nRecent adjustments narrowing eligibility for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Medicaid could strip benefits from hundreds of thousands of families. According to the School Nutrition Association, this may result in the loss of automatic qualification for free meals at school for numerous students. n nWOUB: Southeast Ohio already faces dental care shortages — Medicaid cuts could deepen the crisis n nThe southeastern part of the state is officially recognized as a dental health professional shortage area, indicating a lack of adequate providers for the population. n nNow, federal reductions to Medicaid enacted in July under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act have raised alarms among advocates, who fear access to oral health services will deteriorate further. n nResidents in Appalachian Ohio rely on Medicaid for dental care at a rate higher than the state average. With millions in federal funding cut, stakeholders worry coverage could be significantly reduced. n
— News Original —nHusted’s Economic Agenda is Hurting Farmers, Threatening Access to Health Care & School Meals for KidsnSeptember 12, 2025 n nColumbus, Ohio – Reporting this week exposes the toll Senator Husted’s support for chaotic trade wars is taking on Ohio farmers, while Husted’s vote to cut Medicaid is threatening school children’s access to free school meals and making dental care less accessible. n nHere’s what Ohioans across the state are reading: n nStatehouse News Bureau: Ohio farmers are feeling the dual pain of uncertain tariffs and unreliable weather n nAgriculture is considered Ohio’s number-one industry. One out of every eight jobs in the Buckeye State is tied to the agriculture industry. As farmers prepare to harvest their crops, many are concerned they’ll take a hefty hit due to tariffs and weather conditions. n nThe Senior Director of Communications and Media Relations for the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation, Ty Higgins, said […] tariffs are also impacting farmers, especially those who grow soybeans. n n“China has not bought anything from U.S. farmers this year and it wasn’t long ago that a third of the soybeans we grew here in Ohio went directly to China so there’s a lot of market share that we are missing.” n nHiggins said it is also costing farmers more for the supplies, which are often imported, that they need to produce their crops. n nNews 5 Cleveland: New SNAP, Medicaid rules could cost many kids free school meals n nRecent changes tightening eligibility for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Medicaid could leave hundreds of thousands of families without benefits. As a result, the School Nutrition Association warns, many children could lose automatic access to free school meals. n nWOUB: Dental care isn’t accessible in much of southeast Ohio. Medicaid cuts could make matters worse. n n[…] the southeast region of Ohio is a federally designated dental health professional shortage area, meaning there aren’t enough dentists for the people living there. n nNow, federal cuts to Medicaid passed in July as part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act have advocates concerned that those access problems will only get worse. n nA disproportionate number of patients in Appalachian Ohio rely on Medicaid for their dental care compared to rates statewide. Advocates worry that coverage could be threatened by millions of dollars in federal Medicaid cuts signed into law in July. n n###
