CMA's Public Policy / Political Action Update - October 2021
Co-Chairs: Drs. Stephanie Costa and Bill Cotton | Staff Support: Carrie Baker and Malcolm Porter
The scheduled October 21 meeting of the PP/PAC has been canceled as it was felt there are not sufficient items in need of discussion to make the meeting a good use of physicians' time.
Below is an update on some key public policy issues. Please feel free to contact CMA consultant Malcolm Porter (malcolmjporter@aol.com) if you have any questions or would like additional information.
Vaccine Mandates This has been the dominant issue in the Ohio House since return from this summer's recess. As of the writing of this update on October 13, the Ohio House has decided not to move forward with either HB 248 or HB 435. These are the two bills that got the most attention from the many that were introduced. HB 435 is the most recent attempt to change current law as it would not generally prohibit COVID-19 mandates by private entities; however, it would have broad exemptions spelled out in the law. "Medical freedom" advocates opposed the bill as not going far enough. Public health/medical/business organizations opposed the bill based on public health concerns and concerns about the imposition on "at-will" employment rights. The CMA is a part of the statewide Vaccine Coalition that was opposed to the bill in its current form. Additionally, the CMA reached out to Central Ohio legislators on key committees to be a resource and answer questions. To see all the members of the Vaccine coalition, see the attached example of a recent communication to House members.
Telehealth Rules: HB 122 The CMA has joined most other healthcare organizations in support of this legislation. HB 122 codifies emergency rules and provisions related to telehealth created in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The bill passed the Ohio House and is currently in front of the Senate Health Committee for hearings.
Insulin Cost Containment: HB 302/SB 220 These bills follow the path that a dozen other states have adopted of capping the out-of-pocket maximum for patients' monthly insulin supply. Franklin County Representative Beth Liston is a co-sponsor of HB 302. This bill is early in hearings with sponsor testimony this week in the Ohio Health Committee.
Status of Other Bills of Interest:
HB 9 – Dextromethorphan by Rx if <18…Enacted
HB 37 – Emergency prescription refill…in Senate Health
HB 60 - Autism Eligible for Medical Marijuana…in House Health
HB 110 - State Budget. Medicaid + “morals clause”…Enacted
HB 122 – Telehealth…in Senate Health
HB 135 – Include 3RD Party Cost Share…reported H. Health: stuck Rules?
HB 153 – Medication Switching…in House Insurance
HB 193 – Electronic Rx/Schedule II controlled substances…in S. Health
HB 221 – APRN independent practice authority…in House Health\
SB 6 – Medical Compact – out-of-state practice… Enacted
SB 21 – Stroke Protocols…Enacted
SB 22 – Health Orders Oversight …Enacted via Veto Override
SB 113 – Fireworks Legalized – Passed, but Vetoed
SB 123 - Abortion Ban Pending US Supreme Ct…in Senate Health
SB 150 – Prohibit Physician Non-Competes: S. Sml. Business Com.
SB 157 – Abortion “Live Births” …in Government Reform
SB 220 - Insulin: Senate - in S. Health Committee
SCR 4 – Racism a Public Health Crisis – in S. Health
Physician Wellness Initiative. Dr. Costa led an effort to compile elements of potential HRSA grant application that would focus on peer-led physician wellness programming in Central Ohio. Because of some specific uniqueness to the HRSA process and differing interests from a number of statewide groups, a CMA grant was not submitted. However, there remains interest in exploring future funding and grant opportunities based on the work done on the HRSA application. More is likely to come in this area.
State Medical Board
Telehealth: legislative consideration of HB 122 and the board is providing input on issues related to patient safety
Multi-State Compacts: the board is working on issues towards the September 2022 implementation date
Duty to Report, Criminal Code Changes and Other Potential Issues Related to the Strauss Case: new rules TBD
Political Action Committee. A successful September event was held at Dr. Ecklar's home. Approximately 20 physicians attended for a robust conversation with the President of the Franklin County Board of Commissioners Kevin Boyce. The conversation focused on poverty, community health, and the role of social determinants in health outcomes. The HUB platform that CMA affiliate organizations(Healthcare Collaborative of Greater Columbus and Physicians Care Connection) provide a potentially valuable strategy to impact these challenging issues.
A subsequent conversation on similar topics has now been scheduled with Columbus City Council President Shannon Hardin.
Any CMA physicians interested in this particular area of work should feel free to contact Malcolm Porter (malcolmjporter@aol.com) or Carrie Baker (carrie@hcgc.org) or Isi Green (isi@pcchealth.org)