The Ohio Academy of Family Physicians is your go-to source for family medicine advocacy! Read on for this week’s updates and contact Government Relations Director Jeremy Blake with questions or ways to get involved.
Lame Duck News
Governor Mike DeWine Announces Plans to Prioritize Mental Health Services in Second Term
Sources: The Statehouse News Bureau and cleveland.com
At an Ohio Chamber of Commerce event focusing on healthcare last week, Gov. DeWine said his office is working with lawmakers in three key healthcare areas during his second term. “One, growing our behavioral health force so it is the most robust in this country. Two, leading the nation in mental health research and innovation. And three, providing Ohioans with the best access to behavioral health care in this country,” Gov. DeWine said. Read the full articles by The Statehouse News Bureau and cleveland.com.
Ohio House Votes to Decriminalize Fentanyl Test Strips
Source: cleveland.com
The Ohio House passed legislation last week that would legalize the possession of test strips used to identify the presence of fentanyl in illicit drugs. The policy is aimed at expanding access to the strips, a harm-reduction approach designed to reduce the near-record level of Ohioans who fatally overdose on opioids year over year. Read the full article online.
Gov. DeWine Warns Ohio Lawmakers to Exercise Caution when Considering Abortion Ban Changes
Source: The Statehouse News Bureau
There is a bill in the Legislature that could ban abortion at the point of conception but when asked whether it will pass during this lame duck session of the legislature, Senate President Matt Huffman (R-Lima, OH) said, “I can’t say firmly yes or firmly no, but I think that’s highly unlikely.” That’s why Sen. Huffman said the Senate wants to land on a measure that strikes a compromise between Republican leaders. Read the full article online.
Ohio Coalition of Primary Care Physicians Sends Letter on Unintended Consequences of a Total Abortion Ban
The Ohio Academy of Family Physicians is one of many organizations that belong to the Ohio Coalition of Primary Care Physicians. The coalition sent a letter to Speaker Bob Cupp and Senate President Matt Huffman, copying all members of the legislature, to strongly urge consideration of unintended consequences of a total abortion ban.
Controversial Bill to Deny Gender Affirming Care to Kids won’t be Considered during Lame Duck
Sources: The Statehouse News Bureau and Ohio Capital Journal
House Bill 454, which would have restricted gender affirming care for transgender children, will not be taken up during the lame duck session of the Ohio Legislature. Read the full articles in The Statehouse News Bureau and the Ohio Capital Journal.
AAFP Federal Advocacy – Take Action!
Urge Your Lawmakers to Stop Medicare Payment Cuts
This week, physicians from across specialties and across the country are uniting to urge Congress to take immediate action to avert an unsustainable cut to Medicare payments. Right now, members of Congress are finalizing plans for end-of-the year legislation. Family physicians must stand with the House of Medicine to bring focus back on this critical issue. Join your fellow physicians in Speaking Out against these cuts today!
If you have already written to your lawmakers about this cut, we thank you! And we invite you to join your colleagues by amplifying our urgent message on social media!
The 2023 Medicare physician fee schedule (MPFS) final rule results in a 4.5% reduction to Medicare payment rates that will take effect on Sunday, January 1, 2023. Given the rise in practice expenses, that is unsustainable for family physicians. Tell Congress to protect the House of Medicine TODAY!
A joint letter with more than 100 national organizations was sent to Congressional leadership urging them to include legislation to avert the full 4.5% MPFS reduction in end-of-year package.
Weekly Ohio News Shows
The State of Ohio, PBS | December 2, 2022
The State of Ohio is a weekly program focused on state politics and government. Ohio’s Legislature is back to work, holding hearings on bills about everything from education reform to cosmetology training. An update on what they’re considering and a closer look at a proposed controversial resolution that would make it harder to pass citizen-led constitutional amendments in the future. Watch The State of Ohio.
Face the State, WBNS 10TV | December 4, 2022
Face the State is a weekly program focused on politics and government. This week’s Face the State looks at Senate Bill 357 and gun reform, the passage of Scout’s Honor Bill in the Ohio House, funding for school safety, and more. Watch Face the State.
The Spectrum, NBC 4 | December 4, 2022
The Spectrum is a weekly program focused on state politics and government. This week’s The Spectrum discusses lame duck activity at the Ohio Statehouse and the U.S. Senate passing a bill protecting same-sex, interracial marriage. Watch The Spectrum.