Policy Experts and Community Partners Discuss SNAP and Medicaid Changes

Media Contact:
Jennifer Ciaccia, Press Secretary
216-250-5863 | jciaccia@cuyahogacounty.gov

CUYAHOGA COUNTY, OH – Cuyahoga Job and Family Services hosted a community forum at the Cuyahoga Community College Jerry Sue Thornton Center on Thursday, October 22. The event brought together leaders, advocates, and service providers to examine the impacts of federal reforms on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Medicaid.

Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne delivered powerful remarks underscoring the county’s commitment to helping residents navigate some of the most significant changes to federal programs in decades.

The audience received an in‑depth briefing from David Merriman, Director of the Cuyahoga County Department of Health and Human Services, and Kevin Gowan, Director of Cuyahoga Job and Family Services. Their presentation highlighted how House Resolution 1 (Public Law 119‑21) is reshaping the local landscape including expanded work requirements, new citizenship‑related provisions, administrative funding, and the new Medicaid Community Engagement Activities (MCEA) beginning in 2027.

These changes have had significant impacts on Cuyahoga County residents’ access to safety-net programs including:

• Over 5,400 SNAP recipients now face work requirements due to age or lack of documented exemptions.
• Over 1,000 residents (veterans, unhoused, former foster youth) have lost their exemption status.
• Over 2,000 immigrant non-citizens are no longer eligible for SNAP.

Beginning in 2027, some Medicaid recipients may need to meet exemptions or work requirements to receive benefits.

To coordinate a comprehensive response, Cuyahoga County launched two major cross-sector task forces in 2025:

• The Hunger Response Team – A 50‑organization network addressing SNAP-related impacts.
• The Medicaid Access Team – A 36‑organization collaborative dedicated to helping residents adapt to new Medicaid rules.
  

Both groups unite partners from health care, community organizations, education, legal services, business, philanthropy, and workforce development. Their work is further supported by three committees focused on advocacy, community awareness and navigation, and work activities and career enhancement.

A panel discussion moderated by Emily Campbell, President and CEO of The Center for Community Solutions, brought forward perspectives from leaders across the hunger, health, and social services sectors.

“Our community galvanized early to respond to HR 1 even before changes went into effect,” Campbell said. “Local partners help connect with residents, sharing the latest information, and bringing back intelligence about how conditions are changing for families in neighborhoods. The Cuyahoga County community has met the challenges presented by HR 1 through collaboration and coordination.”

Panelists discussed early trends in SNAP participation, Medicaid rule implementation, challenges facing organizations assisting residents, and opportunities to strengthen the countywide safety net.

Key policy topics reviewed at the forum included:

• SNAP changes, including expanded work requirements for adults 55–64 and parents of older teens, and the loss of exemptions for veterans, former foster youth, and unhoused individuals.
• Medicaid changes, including new community engagement activity requirements, restrictions for non‑citizens, and reductions to retroactive coverage beginning in 2027.
• Administrative funding impacts, including a 50% reduction in federal SNAP reimbursement effective October 2026.

Residents were encouraged to stay engaged, keep their information updated, review exemption documentation, and rely on trusted resources like the Ohio Benefits Portal at benefits.ohio.gov.

“Cuyahoga County is working diligently with our community partners to ensure residents understand these changes and can continue accessing the benefits they rely on,” said CJFS Director Kevin Gowan. “Our commitment is clear: timely information, strong collaboration, and proactive support every step of the way.”

For ongoing updates on SNAP, Medicaid, and other benefit programs, follow Cuyahoga Job and Family Services on Facebook or visit hhs.cuyahogacounty.gov/cjfs.

• To watch a recording of the community forum, visit the CuyahogaCounty - YouTube page.
• The PowerPoint presentation from the event is here.
• Photo gallery from the event, courtesy Cuyahoga County Communications.