Current Case Count Now Equal to Winter Surge

The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) is reporting a large increase in COVID-19 cases over the last month across the state, including among students who are heading back to school. Statewide, the reported illness onset date of August 23, showed 4,133 Ohioans with COVID-19, including 663 school-age Ohioans 5-18. One month prior on July 23, this data was 903 cases statewide, including 147 cases among Ohioans 5-18 – marking a 358% increase statewide, and a 351% increase among school-age Ohioans.

Yesterday, ODH reported a statewide case rate of 338.1 per 100,000 residents, with every county in the state higher than 100 per 100,000 residents. Statewide, a total of 5,395 COVID-19 cases had been reported for a 24-hour period, similar to daily numbers that were seen in December and January during the winter surge of cases. The most recent date when a similar number of cases reported occurred on January 28, when there was an increase of 5,432 cases from the previous day.

The state is seeing a growing number of pediatric respiratory illnesses as COVID-19 cases continue to rise. ODH Director Bruce Vanderhoff, MD, specifically cited increases in rhinoviruses, parainfluenza virus, and RSV (respiratory synctial virus).

There is some good news. More than 6 million Ohioans ages 12 and up have started the COVID-19 vaccination process, marking 60% of the population currently eligible for COVID-19 vaccines.

House Health Committee Considers HB 248

Over 1,000 people submitted testimony to the Ohio House Health Committee regarding HB 248, the far-reaching vaccination legislation. This includes a written statement from OOA President Henry L. Wehrum, DO, and a coalition letter that the OOA signed.
 
The Committee, which returned early from summer recess on Tuesday, spent four hours hearing from proponents and opponents while hundreds of supporters demonstrated outside. The bill would prohibit businesses, schools, and others from requiring vaccinations and also prohibit them from requesting vaccination status of their employees.
 
Speaker of the House Bob Cupp said there would be no further action on the bill until the House resumes in mid-September.  

Promote COVID-19 Vaccination in Your Area

The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) is working to increase vaccination rates in 10 rural counties where rates are particularly low. If you live or practice in Adams, Coshocton, Darke, Hardin, Highland, Mercer, Perry, Shelby, Van Wert, or Vinton county, you can help by writing a letter to the editor of your local newspaper.

Because research shows physicians are among the most trusted voices when it comes to health information, you play an important role to combat vaccine hesitancy and misinformation.
 
ODH partners will work with a physician to draft the letter to address the safety of COVID-19 vaccines, urge nonvaccinated people to get their questions answered, and encourage vaccination. If you are willing to assist with this project, contact Executive Director Matt Harney at mattharney@OhioDO.org.

Volunteer and DO Your Part

The OOA is continually seeking experts with special knowledge, experience, or interest regarding all kinds of topics: insurance, Medicaid, scope of practice issues, physician payment, pharmacology, rural health, etc.
 
Volunteering as a special advocate could include serving as an OOA resource, testifying at the Statehouse, reviewing legislation, writing letters to the editor, or other efforts.
 
Sign up on the OOA website. Is there an unlisted topic for which you’d advocate? Just tell us by selecting “other” and typing it in.

This Membership Benefit Protects You

The best financial plans revolve around balancing five basic actions: save, spend, grow, protect, and give.
 
This video from Northwestern Mutual shows exactly why “protect” is part of comprehensive financial planning. An emergency physician in Louisiana contracted the coronavirus last year, spent 39 days on a ventilator, suffered a stroke, and faced a long and complicated journey to recovery. The financial impact was less troubling because his family had disability income insurance in place, providing the family with monthly payments that help make up for income he’s unable to earn while he recovers. In addition, his life insurance policy includes a benefit known as a waiver of premium.
 
OOA members get a free comprehensive financial planning consultation with Shawn Phelps at Northwestern Mutual. Shawn and his team can develop a plan to protect you, your loved ones, the money you’ve already accumulated, and your future income by having the right insurance coverage.
 
Learn about Shawn on his website and contact him at 614-279-8267 or shawn.phelps@nm.com.

ICYMI… New Public Record Exemptions

Ohio lawmakers created new exemptions from the definition of a public record that relates to State Medical Board licensees.
 
Effective September 1, the new exemptions include: 

Forensic mental health provider means any employee of a community mental health service provider or local alcohol, drug addiction, and mental health services board who has contact with persons committed to a local alcohol, drug addiction, and mental health services board by a court order.

Mental health evaluation provider means an individual who examines a respondent who is alleged to be a mentally ill person subject to court order and reports to the probate court the respondent’s mental condition.

Regional psychiatric hospital employee means any employee of the department of mental health and addiction services who has contact with patients committed to the department of mental health and addiction services by a court order.

Licensees who meet these definitions are exempt from public records of their name, residential address, name of employer, and address of employer.

Additional information about the exemptions can be found in Ohio Revised Code 149.43. If this exemption pertains to you, please complete this SMBO form. 

Seeking Nominations for (Another) Trauma Committee Seat

The Trauma Committee of the State Board of Emergency Medical, Fire, and Transportation Services (EMFTS) is seeking nominations for seat #6. It is designated for a physician who actively provides rehabilitative care to trauma victims.
 
The Committee was created in law to advise and assist the EMFTS in all matters regarding trauma care and the Ohio Trauma System. Its membership is spelled out in the Ohio Revised Code. A list of current Committee members is here.
 
Interested candidates should send their CV to OOA Executive Director Matt Harney at mattharney@OhioDO.org.