HPIO Releases Policy Brief on Strategies to Improve Financial Security

The Health Policy Institute of Ohio (HPIO) recently released a new policy brief on creating a financially prosperous Ohio. The report, “Creating a Financially Prosperous Ohio: Strategies to Improve Family Financial Security” explores the connection between income and Adverse Childhood Experiences, the impact of financial security on health, and shares recommendations for how policymakers and private leaders can support financial prosperity across generations.

Three key findings for policymakers highlighted in the report include:

1. Financial insecurity and ACEs can affect families across generations, resulting in poor outcomes throughout the lives of parents and their children.

2. Positive community conditions support both health and financial security, including high-quality education and employment opportunities and safe, stable, affordable housing.
3. There are several policy and program solutions for Ohio policymakers and private leaders to promote generational financial prosperity for every Ohioan, including making the Earned Income Tax Credit refundable, reducing benefits cliffs and promoting the growth of programs like medical-financial partnerships.

Tangible strategies to promote financial prosperity in Ohio recommended in the report include: investing in workforce development; adopting workplace supports like paid family leave and living wage policies; expanding tax credits and income supports like Earned Income Tax Credits, Child Tax Credits; and Implementing financial services programs.