The Ohio Academy of Family Physicians (OAFP) participated in a House of Medicine meeting hosted by the Ohio State Medical Association (OSMA) on October 22. Those representing the OAFP included lobbyist David Paragas, JD; Executive Vice President (EVP) Ann Spicer; and Deputy EVP Kate Mahler, CAE.
Following the welcome from OSMA President Lisa Egbert, MD, OSMA CEO Todd Baker briefed the group on delays in implementation of the Next Generation of Ohio Medicaid Program initiative and pledged to work collaboratively with other physician organizations to resolve any issues that arise once the initiative launches. Mr. Baker also spoke about lessons learned from the pandemic and the obvious need to strengthen the public health system infrastructure. Also discussed was the need for wellness initiatives to address not only physicians, but also the people who work with physicians.
Lobbyists anticipate that since House leadership has apparently decided to put vaccine discussions to a rest given the fact that no consensus can be reached, other legislation may start to move again. Scope bills, to date, haven’t garnered much attention but that may now change. The advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) have their path to independent practice bill. Physician assistants are trying to find a sponsor for an independent practice bill. And, two different bills regarding licensure of midwives have been introduced.
Lobbyists reviewed insurance bills, which include House Bill (HB) 153 (non-medical switching), a bill that prohibits mid-year formulary changes; and HB 135 (co-pay accumulator), a bill that dictates that the value of discount coupons can’t reduce the patient’s co-pay. The OAFP supports HB 135, which is currently pending in the House Rules Committee.
HB 122, a telemedicine bill that codifies temporary changes made during the pandemic, is likely to pass in some form prior to the end of the calendar year. HB 37 (emergency prescription refills) has been amended to allow one 30-day refill of maintenance medications without a script. The legislation originally allowed for three 30-day refills.
Finally, call participants reviewed current regulatory issues. The State Medical Board of Ohio (SMBO) has finally agreed to alter the mental health impairment question on the medical licensure application, something that the OAFP has been working on for over 15 years. The SMBO also recently conceded that its weight loss medication prescribing rules are overly strict and out of date; they have begun efforts to make revisions. Telemedicine rules will also likely need updated to reflect lessons learned during the pandemic and to align with any legislation passed by the Ohio General Assembly. The SBMO is also developing rules about Ohio’s participation in the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact; these rules need to be finalized by September 2022.