New HPIO brief explores link between work, health

The Health Policy Institute of Ohio's latest publication explores the link between employment and health and outlines 20 policy options that have the potential to increase self-sufficient employment in Ohio.

What Works to Increase Self-Sufficient Employment is published at a time when Ohio policymakers wait for federal approval to require work as a condition of Medicaid eligibility for some beneficiaries and are seeking ways to increase the number of Medicaid enrollees who transition to employer-sponsored coverage.

The report analyzes the relationship between health and work, describes Ohio's employment and workforce landscape and outlines evidence-based state policy options that can contribute to self-sufficient employment and improved health.

Self-sufficient employment is defined in the brief as employment that pays workers a wage that covers basic needs, such as housing, food, transportation, child care and health care and offers health insurance.

The publication outlines policy options Ohio policymakers can take, regardless of the decision made by federal officials on Ohio's current Medicaid work requirement proposal, to ensure more Ohioans have the opportunity to thrive economically and achieve better health. Examples include:

• Increasing participation in secondary and postsecondary career and technical education
• Expanding income support policies, such as the state Earned Income Tax Credit
• Establishing clear policy goals and measurable desired outcomes for state- and federally-funded workforce programs, including employment services coordination models