Ohio Governor Mike DeWine highlighted a statewide children’s vision initiative among the priority proposals introduced in his 2026-2027 executive budget. The Governor was very clear that his children’s vision initiative was reflective of his administration’s commitment to invest in Ohio’s greatest asset; its people.
The Governor has recommended that over two years, $40 million in funding be allocated to create a new vision services program, OhioSEE through the Ohio Department of Health. The program would ensure students who fail vision screenings in kindergarten through third grade (K-3) receive comprehensive eye exams and, if needed, glasses. This program is projected to serve 33,000 kids at a time when vision is critical to learning to read. By investing in this outreach, Gov. DeWine is prioritizing children’s vision and taking a critical step toward improving academic success and overall well-being for Ohio’s students.
“The Governor’s proposed budget marks a historic commitment to children’s vision care and expanding access for Ohio’s most underserved populations”, stated Dr. Tim Fries, OOA President. “As primary eye care providers in Ohio, we are uniquely positioned to be part of the solution to the critical vision needs of our state’s children. I encourage every member to support the ongoing efforts of the OOA and our partners at the Ohio Optometric Foundation as we embrace this unprecedented opportunity.”
The Governor’s proposed budget will now begin being debate by the Ohio House before being sent to the Ohio Senate for further debate later this spring. Ohio must have a balanced budget adopted and enacted by July 1, 2025. The OOA looks forward to working with leaders in both parties of the House and Senate to help formulate and enact this children’s vision proposal in the final version of the budget.
The iSee mobile vision clinics, one of the models discussed in the Children’s Vision Strike Force meetings, organized by the Ohio Optometric Foundation, operated 38 in-school clinics in 2024, providing 721 Ohio students who had been identified as needing critical vision support with comprehensive eye care and corrective measures. OOA members served in these clinics reaching children who were not otherwise being seen for a comprehensive exam.
“The Governor's budget proposal is a significant and extraordinary investment in children's vision and in expanding access to eye care for our most vulnerable patients”, said Dr. Shane Foster, OOF President. “We are thrilled that Governor DeWine has recognized the importance of children's vision related to academic success and applaud the investment in the future of Ohio’s children. This milestone is the result of advocacy efforts, strategic programming, and the dedication of both the Association and Foundation.”
The OOA will be working with its lobbying and PR firms as well as its Key ODs in the upcoming months as we engage with legislators in the budget process. “Ultimately it is the General Assembly that decides the budget and it will go through numerous revisions before it is voted upon by the Legislature,” stated Dr. Elizabeth Muckley, OOA Executive Director. “We are cautiously optimistic, but much can change before the budget bill is signed by June 30th for the appropriations to take effect on July 1, the first day of the new state fiscal year.”
The OOA will continue to update members and provide details of the funding process and request for proposal through the Ohio Department of Health as we learn more.
Governor's Budget Press Conference (announcement begins at 7:47)