The budget process is one in which tempers flare and patience is stretched, but this week the Ohio House passed its version of the bill regardless.

Hundreds of citizens testified before the House Finance and Appropriations Committee that I serve on, as well as its subcommittees. Many were heard, including some from the 87th House District.

Vinton County Auditor Cindy Owings said that she did not know when she came to testify whether many legislators understood rural counties, like Vinton County, or if they did not care.

She found out that she was listened to by both sides of the aisle and as a result, a provision was added to help Vinton and other small counties from the local government fund cuts.

There were also many concerns about mental health, drug and alcohol treatment, nursing homes, hospitals, home care and others.

In some cases, such as mental health and drug treatment, the House provided slightly more funding. But in others, the need was bigger than the budget could provide. I am hopeful that tax revenues will be higher and provide some added relief from the budget cuts when the joint conference committee between the House and Senate meets in June, but no matter what, it will continue to be a tough budget.

At a local forum I attended recently, I was asked about cuts to Medicaid. This entitlement program — meaning if you qualify, it must be provided — is very important because it provides health care to many of our most vulnerable citizens.

When you hear about Medicaid cuts, it is referring to spending reductions on those who provide the service.

The amount being spent on Medicaid is escalating in double digits and is now taking up 44 percent of the budget. The growth of it is impacting every part of the budget and is absorbing resources that otherwise would be spent on other important areas to Ohioans.

In the budget the House just passed, there continues to be an effort to make government more efficient and timely. Medicaid has been a problem for quite a while.

As a result, the governor is making an effort to consolidate the administration and help seniors get the most appropriate care, along with the ability to save money. He also has been frustrated with Ohio’s job-creation efforts and is pushing for JobsOhio in order to provide assistance that is closer to the speed of business.

Also in this budget, school funding for the state foundation actually increased, but the loss of federal stimulus funds either offset or largely negated those gains.

The House version continues distributing the funding on the total budget and strives to protect poor districts as much as possible.

Unfortunately, no one gets everything they want in a budget. All that you can do is give it your best shot.

I have done that now with the House version, and I will continue to work with my colleagues in the Senate and on the House-Senate conference committee to see what other improvements we can make.

John Carey serves in Ohio’s 87th District of the House of Representatives, which includes eastern Lawrence County. He can be reached at (614) 466-1366, by writing to: Ohio House of Representatives, 77 S. High St., Columbus, OH 43215, or via e-mail at District87@ohr.state.oh.us.