Ohio Academy of Family Physicians President Tom Houston, MD, joined staffers Executive Vice President Ann Spicer and Deputy Executive Vice President Kate Mahler, CAE, in representing the Academy at the June 17 meeting of the Ohio Coalition of Primary Care Physicians. The meeting, hosted by the Ohio Osteopathic Association, was held at the Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine in Dublin, OH.
Mary Applegate, MD, Ohio Department of Medicaid Medical director, presented to the group information on Ohio’s State Innovation Model (SIM), patient-centered medical home, and Medicaid episodic payment reform efforts. She also provided updates on the state’s application for a Healthy Ohio Waiver and the state’s infant mortality efforts.
Jenny Camper of Lesic-Camper Communications informed the group about the initiated statute process relative to a measure that would prevent state agencies from entering into contracts for the purchase of prescription drugs unless the price paid is the same as or lower that the special discounts provided to the Veterans Administration. After the initial signature collection process and the Ohio General Assembly’s lack of action, proponents of this initiated statute have until Wednesday, July 6, to collect 91,000 valid signatures to put the issue on the November 2016 statewide ballot. Ms. Camper, representing opposition to the initiative, stated the initiative, as written, is unworkable, vague, and incomplete.
Janet Shaw of the Ohio Psychiatric Physicians Association outlined a new project her organization is taking on to combat physician depression and suicide in residency. The coalition expressed interest in being involved in this effort.
The group discussed recent actions by the Ohio General Assembly, covered legislation of interest that is still pending, and will meet again on Friday, October 14, to prepare for the legislative lame duck session that will occur after the November general election. Prior to the Coalition’s next meeting, organization lobbyists have been asked to meet to discuss development of Coalition-sponsored primary care physician workforce legislation.
Member organizations of the Coalition include the OAFP; the Ohio Osteopathic Association; the Ohio Chapter, American College of Physicians/American Society of Internal Medicine; the Ohio Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics; and the Ohio Society, American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians. Representatives of the Ohio State Medical Association and the Ohio Psychiatric Physicians Association attended as guests.