DeWine Approves State Budget

The Ohio Legislature approved HB 110, the state budget bill, and sent it to Gov. Mike DeWine who signed it early Thursday morning. The $74.1 billion package includes $2 billion in tax cuts for over the next two years, an overhaul of school funding, broadband funding to $250 million, and provisions to allow college athletes to earn money off their name, image, and likeness. He also kept the “medical conscience clause” which allows physicians, hospitals and health insurance companies to refuse to provide or pay for a medical service if it violates their moral beliefs. 

DeWine vetoed 14 items including changes to the Medicaid managed care procurement process.

A budget fact sheet outlines the provisions regarding health-related programs.

DeWine also signed SB 6 this week, allowing Ohio to enter into the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact to help physicians licensed in Ohio get expedited licensure in compact member states. The new law takes effect September 28. Physicians can still license directly through the State Medical Board as the Compact will only be an additional option for multi-state licensees. Ohio is the second largest state to join the Compact behind Texas.

DeWine also signed legislation, HB 9, that prohibits retailers from selling a drug containing dextromethorphan to anyone younger than 18 without a prescription was also signed. Misuse has increased in recent years among adolescents and young adults sparking the need for the law.

No Action Yet from Gov on Fireworks Bill

The OOA signed on to a letter to Gov. Mike DeWine asking him to veto SB 113, the fireworks bill. The bill allows Ohioans to discharge commercial-grade fireworks on specified holidays: New Year’s Day; Chinese New Year; Cinco de Mayo; Memorial Day weekend; Juneteenth; July 3, 4, and 5; and the Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays preceding and following Labor Day weekend, Diwali, New Year’s Eve, and any other legal holiday.

The letter notes:

We feel that there are better ways forward if there is an interest in changing Ohio’s fireworks laws. We have urged lawmakers to explore more robust local government authority in terms of establishing regulations for discharge. Additionally, we would like to see discharge established as an ‘opt-in’ where local governments would have to proactively vote to allow discharge in their territory.

Under current law, Roman candles, bottle rockets, and other fireworks can be legally purchased in Ohio but must be transported out of state within 48 hours. Only licensed exhibitors are permitted to discharge these devices in the state.

Anti-Vaccine Bill Stalls in Committee

The provision from HB 248 disallowing employers from requiring the vaccine (unless it received full FDA approval—instead of emergency use) was squeezed into a funding bill by the House of Representatives last week. Fortunately, the Senate rejected that provision. 

HB 248 itself is currently stuck in the House Health Committee. Committee Chair Scott Lipps has stated there will be changes to the bill. But so far there’s been no further work since the Ohio Chamber of Commerce and Ohio Manufacturers Association came out against the bill. The OOA and medical organizations across the state have voiced opposition throughout the process. In addition, Gov. Mike DeWine is not supportive of the bill. He has consistently said he opposes legislation that discourages vaccination or prevents businesses from keeping their employees safe. Given these potential hurdles Lipps may choose not to spend more Committee time on the proposal.

Thank you to the many OOA members who contacted their state representatives to oppose HB 248.

Fraudulent Prescription Notice from Pharmacy Board

Recently, Maximus, an IT vendor contracted with the Ohio Department of Medicaid became aware of a Maximus cybersecurity incident that potentially exposed Medicaid provider names, social security numbers, addresses, DEA registration numbers, and other information.

Please be advised that the Board of Pharmacy has already been notified by at least one hospital system of several fraudulent prescriptions issued in recent days. While these reports may be coincidental to the Maximus cybersecurity incident, providers are strongly encouraged to utilize the OARRS MyRx Report feature to identify any potential fraudulent prescriptions issued under their DEA registration. If a provider identifies a prescription that appears fraudulent, they should report this information to the DEA and local law enforcement.

For more information on running a MyRx Report, a short video tutorial can be accessed here. Reports to the DEA can be made using its online reporting tool.

If you believe you were impacted, Maximus is offering providers, at no cost, 24 months of credit monitoring and other services from Experian. Contact Experian’s dedicated assistance line at 800-357-0823, Monday to Friday, 9:00am-11:00pm and Saturday/Sunday 11:00am-8:00pm.

For questions, contact Maximus at questions@maximus.com or visit https://maximus.com/questions.

COVID-19 Update

As of this afternoon, 47.78% in Ohio have started the vaccine process. That equates to more than 5.58 million Ohioans. Over 5.2 million, or 44.54%, have completed the vaccination series.

Delaware County remains the highest vaccinated county at 62% while Holmes County remains the least vaccinated at just over 15% of the population starting the vaccination process. Fourteen of Ohio’s 88 counties are at less than 33% vaccination and 53 counties have yet to reach 40%.

The delta variant has been detected in Ohio, but compared to other variants tested it makes up less than 1% of cases, according to the Ohio Department of Health.

Simply CME Set for August 21

The OOA has teamed with five other state osteopathic associations across the country to offer Simply CME, a series of one-day virtual conferences. The next one is Saturday, August 21.

The program offers 8 AOA Category 1-A credits, 8 AMA PRA Category 1 credits, and the flexibility to attend live and/or access the event on-demand. The eight hours of presentations are pre-recorded with the speakers live on the day of the event for a Q&A. The speaker line up for August includes two Ohioans, Dawn C. Dillinger, DO, and Shannon C. Trotter, DO.

Topics include:

• ECG Tutorials
• Trauma-Informed Care
• Crohn’s Disease
• Pediatric Rashes
• Pulmonology - Day to Day Care
• Pediatric Mental Illness
• Kidney Stone Treatment
• Dementia Screening / Geriatrics

Registration is open. Details are here.

Show Your Support for the Newest Class of Osteopathic Medical Students

All first-year medical students at Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine receive their short white coat compliments of the OOA and Ohio Osteopathic Foundation. It is a gift from their professional family to commemorate the beginning of their academic career as an osteopathic medical student.

OOA members and friends are invited to personally welcome the new students by sponsoring the purchase of a coat and writing a short note to the recipient. Your message will be printed on an OOA notecard and tucked into the coat pocket.

Make your donation online in an increment of $45 to the Student White Coat Fund and write your message in the comment box.