On April 30, The Columbus Dispatch ran a story titled “State Medical Boards Disciplinary Record Rankles Some.”
A portion of the story deals with continuing efforts initiated by the State Medical Board of Ohio (SMBO) to revise and tighten provisions of the one-bite program. Currently, Section 4731.224 (B) of the Ohio Revised Code, commonly referred to as the one-bite exemption, states that an individual with drug and alcohol issues is not required to notify the SMBO if they meet the following conditions:
- Examination at an approved treatment provider
- If diagnosed with impairment, the individual completes treatment in accordance with SMBO requirements
- The individual has not violated SMBO statutes or rules, other than those relating to impairment.
The groups mentioned in the article who are negotiating revisions to the one-bite exemption include the Medical Associations Coalition (MAC) which is made up of physicians, treatment providers, and hospital representatives; the SMBO and staff; and State Representatives Cheryl Grossman (R-Grove City, OH) and Steve Huffman, MD (R-Tipp City, OH).
The MAC group is scheduled to meet again on Monday, May 16. The next meeting with Reps. Grossman and Huffman, the MAC, and representatives from the SMBO is scheduled for Thursday, May 19.