The Ohio Academy of Family Physicians (OAFP) advocacy team monitors healthcare related legislation, rule changes, and legislative updates for Ohio’s family physicians.
To access the OAFP Bill Tracker, visit the OAFP Public Policy webpage and click on the Bill Tracker icon.
Read on for this week’s updates and contact Advocacy Manager Micah Cook with questions or for ways to get involved.
Ohio Chamber Urges Changes to Marijuana Employer Protections, Public Use, Taxes
Source: NEA Consulting Weekly Ohio Update
The General Assembly and Governor Mike DeWine should make several changes to the adult use marijuana legalization ballot measure approved by voters in November, according to Ohio Chamber of Commerce.
In the letter to Gov. DeWine, Senate President Matt Huffman (R-Lima, OH) and House Speaker Jason Stephens (R-Kitts Hill, OH), the Chamber acknowledged that Ohioans voted 57% to 43% to approve Issue 2, but said “the outcome does nothing to assuage our concerns that the initiated statute language contains vulnerabilities in workplace protections, complicates the workforce problems associated with filling current and future job openings, and generally will exacerbate Ohio’s economic challenges and societal problems.”
The letter states to state leaders that the Ohio Chamber “stands ready to assist your efforts to ensure that recreational marijuana only becomes available in a safe and responsible manner.” In particular, the Chamber suggested lawmakers address employer workplace protections, private property rights, and the tax distribution.
“It is important to clearly state that employers do not have to accommodate the use of any form of marijuana, and that employers can take appropriate action relative to a positive drug test for marijuana, even if it relates to an employee’s off-duty conduct,” he said. “Ambiguity in this regard could prevent or limit an employer’s ability to take action relative to an employee or applicant’s positive drug test for marijuana (or THC). These limitations would have unintended consequences, such as curtailing the ability of employers to set their own employment policies and making workplaces less safe.”
Medicaid Unwinding – Toolkit and Request for Information
Source: American Academy of Family Physicians
On behalf of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the American Academy of Family Physicians is asking for your help to educate patients about how they can keep health coverage as states restart routine Medicaid renewals so that they can continue accessing critical healthcare exams, screenings, and treatments.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, states paused their annual renewals for people enrolled in Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) to make sure that people could continue accessing health care services. Now, states have resumed these annual renewals and are contacting people enrolled in Medicaid or CHIP to check if they’re still eligible for Medicaid or CHIP.
Over the next several months, everyone with Medicaid or CHIP coverage will need to renew their coverage. You can help your patients by making sure they know about the Medicaid and CHIP renewal process, the importance of keeping their information up to date with their state Medicaid or CHIP office, and where they can go if they have questions along the way. If a patient loses Medicaid or CHIP coverage, you can also make sure that they know what other coverage options may be available to them.
Access the tool kit.