Advocacy Updates

Physician in the ED Bill Introduced

Ohio ACEP is pleased to report that House Bill 789 has been formally introduced. This important bill, sponsored by Representative Thomas Hall, would require a physician be on site at all emergency departments at all times. Ohio ACEP knows physician-led care is critically important in the ED and that patients expect and deserve a physician to be on site when they present for care. This will be a priority bill for the organization and hope you will join us in supporting the effort by letting your Representative know this is a bill worthy of passage.

Ohio ACEP Supportive of Naloxone Legislation Signed into Law

Ohio ACEP was honored to be included in a bill signing with Governor Mike DeWine for Senate Bill 137, sponsored by Senator Terry Johnson. This important law will require hospitals to provide overdose reversal drugs, like naloxone. The law also allows hospitals to seek reimbursement for the drug. Ohio ACEP Past President Michael McCrea, Dr. James Neuenschwander, representing the Ohio Naloxone Project, and others were able to attend this formal bill signing in the Governor’s ceremonial office. This is an important win for patients and a new opportunity for harm reduction!

APN Independent Practice Update

Legislation to grant APNs independent practice has had fits and starts in the last month. There are three different bills pending in the Ohio legislature that would give advanced practice nurses (APNs) a path to independent practice. Senate Bill 258,  House Bill 449, and House Bill 508.  Each bill eliminates the requirement for APNs to have a collaboration agreement after they complete a certain number of clinical hours (2,000 or 5,000 hours, depending on the bill). They also allow APNs to be a “collaborating provider” to other APNs if they have completed their clinical hours and are practicing independently.

Back in November, Ohio ACEP President Christina Campana and others testified in opposition to HB 508. This March, the House Medicaid Committee scheduled a vote on HB 508. The House of Medicine quickly sent a letter reenforcing opposition to the bill to all members of the Ohio House. As a result, the vote was ultimately pulled. Instead, the committee adopted an amendment to require an APN to have 10 years of experience before they could be a collaborator with other APNs. This amendment does not address Ohio ACEP’s concerns, and we remain opposed to the bill. Additionally, HB 449 had a sponsor hearing before the House Health Committee in March.

CRNA Bill Signed into Law

Legislation regarding the scope of practice of certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) has been signed into law. House Bill 52 removes supervision requirements for CRNAs to administer anesthesia, order drugs, and perform other clinical tasks. Instead, under the bill, they would do these things in collaboration with a physician, dentist, or podiatrist. The bill also eliminates the requirement that anesthesia be administered by a CRNA in the immediate presence of a physician, dentist, or podiatrist. Additionally, the bill mandates that patients be notified as to which type of provider (physician, CRNA, etc.) will be administering their anesthesia. 

Vaccine Bill Opposition

Ohio ACEP added our logo to a coalition letter opposing House Bill 561 which would make changes to children’s vaccination laws. In the letter, groups highlighted that: Limiting Exclusion During Outbreaks Removes a Critical Public Health Tool; Removing Hepatitis B from Childcare Requirements Weakens Disease Prevention; Accurate Vaccination Records Are Essential for Outbreak Response; We Support Informed Choice, Not Opt-Out by Default; and Provider Conversations Improve Public Health Outcomes. Several witnesses weighed in with formal opposition to the bill before the House Health Committee on March 25^th. 

Bill Would Create License for Naturopaths

Senator Terry Johnson has introduced Senate Bill 385 to create a license for naturopathic medicine. These providers would be licensed by the State Medical Board. To be eligible for such a license, the applicant would be required to hold a doctoral degree in naturopathy or naturopathic medicine. License holders would not be permitted to prescribe drugs, perform surgery, claim to be physicians and other limitations. This bill will be considered by the Senate Health Committee.

Want to Learn More?

If you’re interested in viewing the status of all of the bills Ohio ACEP is tracking, you can find that here.