On November 10, representatives of the Ohio Physicians Health Plan and the State Medical Board met with Representative Cheryl Grossman (R-Grove City, OH) and Representative Steve Huffman’s aide (R-Tipp City, OH) to discuss legislative changes needed for the State Medical Board of Ohio (SMBO) to have the authority to implement some of the agreed upon rules changes to the one-bite program.
One-bite relates to specific circumstances under which SMBO licensees are permitted to seek drug or alcohol treatment without reporting to the SMBO. The Ohio Academy of Family Physicians has strongly advocated that any changes should not inadvertently cause or discourage physicians from seeking needed treatment at the earliest possible time.
- 4731.25 – SMBO to enter into a contract with a monitoring provider
- 4731.25 – SMBO authority to promulgate rules around continuing care
- Creation of rules around the new “confidential program”
- Ability to suspend practice for a minimum of 30 days or until a licensee is approved to return to practice
- Possible changes to 4731.224 reporting statute.
Rep. Grossman will facilitate meetings with the Legislative Service Commission as to the bill drafting process. The first meeting is scheduled for Monday, December 5.