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 Workforce and Advocacy Manager Caitlin Laudeman with questions or for ways to get involved.
Issue 1 Ballot Language in Lawsuit Challenge
Source: The Hannah Report
If the ballot language for Issue 1, the reproductive and abortion rights amendment, is allowed to stand, many voters will reach “incorrect conclusions” about what the amendment does, the plaintiffs in a lawsuit challenging the language said in a recently filed brief. Ohioans United for Reproductive Rights filed the lawsuit last month challenging the language written by Secretary of State Frank LaRose’s office for Issue 1 and adopted by the Ohio Ballot Board along party lines.
In a merit brief filed September 5, the group argues that the ballot language will “mislead, deceive, or defraud the voters,” in violation of the Ohio Constitution, which contains a prohibition on such language that appears before voters. The Ohio Supreme Court “has never hesitated to strictly enforce that requirement,” the merit brief states. “It should do the same here.” The group is asking for the use of the full amendment language so that voters can see for themselves the language that they are being asked to approve, or alternatively, to order the Ballot Board to reconvene and adopt language that accurately describes the measure.
Comment on Recommendation on Primary Care Child Maltreatment Interventions
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force is taking comments on a draft recommendation and draft evidence review on primary care interventions to prevent child maltreatment. The draft says there is not enough evidence to assess the balance of benefits and harms of such interventions when there are no signs or symptoms of maltreatment. Comments are open until 11:59 p.m. ET Monday, September 25.
East Palestine Derailment
Source: The Hannah Report
U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) recently announced that the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration is providing an $879,509 emergency grant to the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OhioMHAS) to support community health and resilience in East Palestine, OH, in the aftermath of the Norfolk Southern train derailment. The grant comes in response to a request from the state of Ohio for additional funding to address immediate and ongoing behavioral and mental health needs in East Palestine and expand and improve the capacity of local crisis response systems.
Anti-Abortion Crisis Pregnancy Centers Spending Significantly on Marketing over Patient Education and Support
Source: The Hannah Report
Anti-abortion crisis pregnancy centers that receive funding through the state budget are spending significantly more money on marketing than on patient education and support, according to a new report from abortion rights organization Pro-Choice Ohio. The findings were part of a study funded by the Columbus City Council, according to the group. Researchers analyzed 10 crisis pregnancy centers in Columbus, OH, five of which receive funding through the Ohio Parenting and Pregnancy Program — three facilities associated with Pregnancy Decision Health Center (PDHC), and two associated with Women’s Care Center (WCC). The budget, House Bill 33, provides $7 million in each fiscal year to the Ohio Parenting and Pregnancy Program using funding from the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) block grant, according to the report. Researchers also found a number of other issues with crisis pregnancy centers in Columbus, including employees that provided false information about pregnancy, abortion, and birth control.
Licensee Obligation to Complete Death Certificates in Ohio
Source: State Medical Board of Ohio
When an individual dies under natural causes, the attending physician is to sign the death certificate within forty-eight hours after the death. Read the State of Ohio Medical Board’s policy statement and FAQs on the State Medical Board of Ohio website. An instructional video is also available.
Licensee Requirement to Report and Continuing CME from State Medical Board
Source: State Medical Board of Ohio
Licensees of the State Medical Board of Ohio (SMBO), have a statutory and ethical duty to report misconduct. Licensees are obligated to report violations of law, rule, and code of ethics standards to the SMBO. Examples of misconduct include, but are not limited to, sexual misconduct, impairment, practice below the minimal standards of care, and improper prescribing of controlled substances. Effective May 31, 2021, physicians (MDs, Dos, and DPMs) are required to complete one hour of continuing medical education (CME) on the topic of a licensee’s duty to report misconduct, with enforcement to commence with renewal or reinstatement applications submitted on or after July 1, 2021.
The SMBO has created a one-hour course designed to educate physicians (MDs, Dos, and DPMs) on the duty to report to the SMBO. It features interviews from members of the board, staff leadership, a board investigator, and other state medical boards from around the country. The video is divided into three distinct sections: understanding your duty to report, examples of physician misconduct, and how to report. At the end of each section, you will have the opportunity to evaluate what you learned through a review of questions and answers. A certificate of completion will be provided. For a full overview of the requirements, CME, and helpful links, visit the SMBO website.