Come up with a good idea to improve opioid treatment or to reduce Lake Erie algae, raise some money to implement a program, and if it works, get reimbursed by the State of Ohio.
That’s the ResultsOhio plan put forth by Ohio Treasurer Robert Sprague. He hopes for quick action to set up the initiative by the General Assembly, and then for a host of nonprofits and others to propose solutions for a variety of social, health, economic, and environmental problems affecting the state.
The way it would work is, ideas would be brought to the state, such as a project to reduce phosphorus going into the lake and nurturing algae blooms that can harm drinking water. A nonprofit or business that thinks it can do that enters into a contract with the state with specific measurements to be made over time. If the plan calls for spending $1 million and takes two years to show results, a third party would evaluate the results afterward.
If the terms of the contract are met, the nonprofit or business would be reimbursed its $1 million.
This would pay for success, rather than a traditional government path of giving grants up front to nonprofits to try to solve problems. In this case, the project sponsor would need to raise money at the outset, but the donors could get their money back later if the idea works.
“This would pay for results,” said Mr. Sprague, a former Findlay state representative. His office would be involved as it would administer the money.
Pay for Success programs have existed elsewhere, and many are deemed a good step toward solving problems. Several Ohio groups support ResultsOhio, such as the Ohio Business Roundtable, Ohio Children’s Hospital Association, and the Ohio Farm Bureau. Congress has set aside $100 million to fund Pay for Success programs, money which Mr. Sprague hopes to tap.
In Ohio, a range of issues could be tackled, such as help to lower infant mortality or to improve literacy, heroin treatment, early childhood education preparedness, or work force training. The governor’s office and legislators will determine which policy issues are targeted.
Projects with positive results could save lives and save the state money now being spent to address such problems. ResultsOhio is a good approach. State lawmakers should embrace it.
First Published May 13, 2019, 4:00 a.m.
