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 the OAFP staff with questions or for ways to get involved.
ODH Transgender Surgery Rules Clear JCARR
Source: NEA Consulting
Ohio Department of Health (ODH) rules banning gender transition surgeries and referrals for minors will move forward after Republicans on the Joint Committee on Agency Rule Review (JCARR) voted against invalidating them on April 15.
Numerous witnesses testified against the rules, and Democrats argued they should be invalidated for violating several JCARR prongs.
JCARR was also scheduled to consider ODH rules on reporting requirements for gender transition care, but those rules were placed in “to be refiled” status ahead of the meeting. In an agenda change announced on April 12, all other proposed rules on gender transition care were moved to “to-be-refiled” status by ODH and the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OhioMHAS). JCARR Executive Director Ian Dollenmayer’s pre-meeting memo announced the change and said the gender reassignment rules generated “significant controversy,” a term he previously applied to all the rules when they were slated for consideration as of an April 5 pre-meeting memo.
“Each agency received numerous comments at their public hearings for all rules, both those that remain on the regular agenda and those recently to-be-refiled. The JCARR office has received multiple pieces of written testimony and is expecting several witnesses to testify in-person at the meeting. We will keep members informed as we continue receiving testimony and can better estimate the number of witnesses we will have present on Monday,” Executive Director Dollenmayer added.
On April 15, Representative Mike Skindell (D-Lakewood, OH) moved to invalidate ODH Rules 3701-59-06 and 3701-83-60.
“These rules are enacted beyond the scope of the authority of the department; they violate or are conflict with the federal and state constitutions, federal and state statutes, and federal and state rules; they are contrary to the intent of the Legislature; they fail to adequately detail the adverse impact on businesses and individuals; and these rules will result in the death of Ohioans,” Rep. Skindell said.
Rep. Skindell’s motion was rejected 6-4 on a party-line vote.
JCARR Co-Chair Representative Jamie Callender (R-Concord, OH) and Representative Brett Hillyer (R-Dennison, OH) were not present for the meeting, and were replaced by Reresentatives Bob Peterson (R-Sabina, OH) and Kevin Miller (R-Newark, OH). House GOP spokesperson Pat Melton said that both Reps. Callender and Hillyer asked for substitutes for Monday’s meeting, but reasons for their absences were not provided. Both Reps. Callender and Hillyer voted against House Bill 68, which bans gender-affirming care for minors and prohibits transgender women and girls from playing women’s and girls’ school sports.
Among those providing opposition testimony was Trenton, NJ, City Councilperson Jennifer Williams, a Republican who is transgender and Mallory Golski, civic engagement and advocacy manager for Kaleidoscope Youth Center (KYC), said these rules and other anti-transgender policies will cause young people to leave Ohio.
AAFP President: Ensuring All Americans have Equitable Access to Care
On April 8, American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) President Steven Furr penned a blog in AAFP’s A Word from the President regarding recent legislative attempts that threaten diversity, equity, and inclusion programs in medical schools.
“Part of what makes family medicine so special is our ability to connect with our patients on a deeply personal level. It’s our continued goal to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion and grow representation in family medicine and medical education to reach patients who may not trust the medical system and are underserved in their communities,” Dr. Furr wrote.
As both federal and state lawmakers grapple with bills that concern health equity, the AAFP is reiterating its commitment to ensuring all Americans have equitable access to care.
Read the blog Achieving Health Equity Starts With Equitable Representation in Medicine.
Representative Callender Says Adult Use Marijuana Sales Could Start in June
Source: NEA Consulting Weekly Ohio Update
Adults age 21 and older might be able to legally purchase marijuana in Ohio much earlier than September, according to Representative Jamie Callender (R-Concord, OH).
Speaking with reporters at the Statehouse, Rep. Callender said adult use cannabis sales could begin in the middle of June.
“They will have applications for dual-licensure available to those who already have the medical retail licenses on Friday, June 7, at the latest,” Rep. Callender said. “It will be very simple, because the requirements for the recreational license are mostly included already in the requirements for the medical license, so they’ve already gone through all the checks and all the stuff that needs to be done. So I would anticipate it being a very simple application — a couple pages at the most — and it shouldn’t take the department long to go through those and approve them.”
Rep. Callender said the Ohio Department of Commerce (DOC) Division of Cannabis Control (DCC) has been working quickly, and that many adult use marijuana rules are already in the jurisdiction of the Joint Committee on Agency Rule Review (JCARR). Rep. Callender is currently the chair of JCARR.
Asked about Rep. Callender’s prediction, DOC spokesperson Jamie Crawford provided this statement: “As we have said before, the DCC remains on schedule to make dual-use permit applications available to current medical permit holders no later than Friday, June 7, and to begin awarding permits no later than Saturday, September 7, as laid out in the voter-initiated statute. It would be inappropriate for us to engage in hypotheticals as it relates to what the final timeline might look like, since it could be accelerated in the event of legislative action. It’s important to emphasize the DeWine administration has endorsed proposed legislation that would make non-medical adult-use cannabis legal in medical dispensaries as soon as it can take effect, even if it were to occur prior to the timeline stated in the voter-initiated statute.”
Governor DeWine Announces Child Care Vouchers, Grants during ‘State of State’
Source: NEA Consulting Weekly Ohio Update
Approximately 8,000 children will receive financial support through the new “Child Care Choice Voucher Program” Gov. Mike DeWine announced during his “State of the State” address on April 10. The program will be available to Ohio families that earn up to 200% of the federal poverty level, or $60,000 for a family of four, the governor said. Additionally, the governor announced his administration will be re-allocating $85 million in federal funding to create new “Child Care Access Grants.” These grants will provide resources to improve and expand existing child care facilities, Gov. DeWine said.
Those programs were two of many children’s initiatives announced or proposed by Gov. DeWine during his “State of the State” speech, which was heard by lawmakers, statewide elected officials, and others during a joint legislative session held in the House Chamber.
Another topic addressed by the governor was the number of children struggling because they don’t have eyeglasses even though they need them. In response to the problem, the administration is creating the Children’s Vision Strike Force.
The governor also announced the creation of a new partnership among the Ohio Department of Medicaid, Ohio children’s hospitals and Medicaid managed care plans — the Outcomes Acceleration for Kids (OAK) Learning Network. The partnership will pay healthcare professionals for keeping people healthy, Gov. DeWine said, pointing to asthma as an example.
“To manage asthma well, it requires taking the time to understand the needs and circumstances of a family, making sure they have access to care and medications, and ensuring the school nurse knows the child’s asthma action plan. These holistic actions — all together — are what kids and families need to manage asthma effectively. The OAK Learning Network will reward and incentivize our healthcare system in a new way to focus on asthma prevention,” Gov. DeWine said.
On the issue of infant mortality, Gov. DeWine said the administration is launching a pilot program in 11 counties called “Family Connects.” “Every new mom will be eligible to receive a visit from a nurse about three weeks after delivering her baby. These visiting nurses can guide families to clinical or community supports; recognize when a mom and baby may need additional help as a result of exhaustion or trouble with breastfeeding; and remind or teach new moms about how a baby can sleep safely,” the governor said. “Similar programs that we have looked at have a track record of reducing infant mortality. In places where these programs have been implemented, rates of child protective services investigations have decreased by 44%, and mothers showed a 30% drop in post-partum depression and a 50% reduction in emergency room visits. In our next budget, I will be asking you for your support to take Family Connects statewide.”
Finally, the governor announced that the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce (DEW) will be creating a “Principal Apprenticeship Program” to allow aspiring school principals “watch veteran principals in action through hands-on, in-school training that will better prepare them for the challenges of the job.”
On legislative priorities, Gov. DeWine again asked the General Assembly to pass a bill banning the sale of Delta-8 intoxicating hemp to children.
On marijuana, Gov. DeWine specifically asked the Legislature to address public smoking.
“We must respect the will of Ohio voters. However, I doubt if very many people who voted ‘yes’ on Issue 2 wanted their kids breathing in marijuana smoke while walking in a public park, or on a sidewalk to a ball practice, or smelling the stench of it walking from the parking lot to the Guardians or Reds game this summer,” Gov. DeWine said.
Gov. DeWine Spokesman Dan Tierney said that while Ohio’s current public smoking ban does apply to marijuana, the administration is aiming to place more restrictions on cannabis smoke than the state does on tobacco smoke. Dan Tierney said marijuana smoke is typically more pungent than cigarette smoke.
On another topic, the governor said schools should ban or limit smartphone use by students as much as possible, noting Senator Andrew Brenner (R-Delaware, OH) is currently working on an amendment requiring all Ohio schools to adopt a smartphone policy that will minimize phone usage by students in the classroom.
The governor also urged the Legislature to consider a bill making a seat belt violation a primary offense.
“Ohio is 10th from the bottom of all states in seat belt use,” Gov. DeWine said. “While the national average for seat belt use is 91%, Ohio’s number is only 81%. Sadly, our youngest drivers have the lowest rate. That is why I will be coming to you with a proposal to save young people and adults through a primary seat belt law.”