SAMHSA Updates Resources on 988 Suicide, Crisis Lifeline

The Ohio Department of Medicaid’s Next Generation MyCare program is now live with a statewide expansion planned for later this year. This enhanced program streamlines processes, improves collaboration with health plans and strengthens clinical coverage policies to help providers better serve Ohioans. In the program, providers must enroll with ODM and contract with the Next Generation MyCare plans to provide services to members. Eligible members are now receiving benefits through a Next Generation MyCare plan. Members who were in the Ohio Home Care, Assisted Living or PASSPORT Waiver when they were enrolled in the program are now enrolled in the MyCare…

The Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation, OSPF, has been awarded an adult male suicide prevention grant from the Ohio Department of Health. Part of the grant includes providing free training on how to recognize a crisis and the warning signs that someone may be contemplating suicide. Additional information can be found here. Training is available to health care providers and non-clinical staff located in 10 high-burden counties as identified by ODH. These 10 counties are: Clark Cuyahoga Hamilton Lorain Lucas Mahoning Marion Montgomery Richland Summit The training can be virtual or in-person, and the length can be 90, 120 or 120+ minutes, depending…

OHA is welcoming a new slate of committee leaders who will help guide its work in the coming year. Matt Akers, director of Physical Environment, Safety and Emergency Management at OhioHealth, has been named chair of the OHA Safety Council. Rob Montagnese, president and CEO of Licking Memorial Hospital, will serve as chair of the Institute of Health Innovations Board. Christy Stansfield, director of hospital billing at ProMedica, will lead the Admitting, Billing & Collections Committee as chair for the 2026-27 term. Andrew Maigur, MD, hospitalist physician at Premier Health, has been appointed chair of the Physician Advisor Committee, with Ahmad…

Ohio Department of Health Director Bruce Vanderhoff, MD, said this week at a press conference that influenza activity across the state continues to climb, urging Ohioans to get vaccinated as the best protection against severe illness. Vanderhoff reported 1,911 flu-related hospitalizations statewide for the week ending Jan. 3, up sharply from the prior week and higher than the same period last year. He said increases are typical for this time of year but noted that a new influenza strain is contributing to the surge. Vanderhoff emphasized vaccination is especially important for children and older adults, who are at higher risk of complications. Find more…