OOA Files Court Brief

The OOA joined with other medical associations to file an amicus brief, August 6, in a case that would negatively impact physicians by extending and broadening the scope of liability exposure.

Lewis v. MedCentral Health System involves a patient who fell out of her hospital bed, fracturing her neck. She filed an action against the hospital and ten John Doe defendants. The John Doe defendants were identified as “physicians, nurses, hospitals, corporations, health care professionals, or other entities that provided negligent medical care...” When an amended complaint was filed eliminating the John Doe defendants and adding other defendants to the action, the one-year statute of limitations for medical claims had already expired.

The friend of the court brief argues the Fifth District Appellate Court erred when it reversed the decision of the trial court to grant a motion to dismiss. The plaintiff failed to properly and timely name John Doe defendants as required by law. The brief reads, in part:

…the argument ignores this Court’s longstanding recognition that a plaintiff who believes she is the victim of malpractice has a duty to investigate and discover the identity of the practitioner who committed the alleged malpractice. Once a medical claim has accrued, the failure of the plaintiff to learn the identity of an allegedly negligent party does not delay the running of the statute of limitations.

Advocacy to protect Ohio DOs and the practice of osteopathic medicine is at the core of OOA’s mission. That advocacy occurs at each branch of state government: executive, legislative, and judicial. These friend of the court briefs allow the OOA to advise courts of additional, relevant information to consider in cases important to physicians and patient medical care.

See the Court Watch section on the OOA website here for more information.

OOA Voices Support for PBM Reform

The OOA joined with other medical and health associations to urge Ohio’s Congressional delegation to enact necessary reforms related to pharmacy benefit managers’ (PBM) opaque business practices.

In a letter, the organizations specifically asked Members of Congress to accelerate the momentum for meaningful PBM reform bills including:

• S 1542/HR 6283Drug Act
• HR 2880 Protecting Patients Against PBM Abuses Act
• HR 5376 Share the Savings with Seniors Act

It was noted that elements in these proposals include policies that will separate excessive PBM profits from the cost of medications and ensure inherent cost savings in the drug supply chain are passed through to patients. These policies are essential to ensuring patients see savings at the pharmacy counter.

The letter also cited a recent report from the Federal Trade Commission regarding its investigation of PBMs and the outsized impact these middlemen have on what patients pay for prescription drugs.

Read the letter here.

District News

The Northwest Ohio Osteopathic Association (NWOOA) hosted medical students and members at a social event this week in Perrysburg. The evening included conversation, food, and fun! The district academy is planning for its annual fall conference. The Primary Care Update will be held November 8-10 at Kalahari Resort in Sandusky. Registration details are at www.NWOOA.org.

In Central Ohio, the Columbus Osteopathic Association (COA) supported the annual welcome picnic to greet the incoming OU-HCOM. This year, the event served as a celebration to recognize the 10-year anniversary of HCOM Dublin campus.

The Cleveland Academy of Osteopathic Medicine (CAOM) is hosting A Conversation with Women in Medicine on September 3. The evening agenda includes discussion about achieving work-life balance in medicine, managing stress, and career opportunities in the Cleveland area.

Represent the OOA at Legislative Events

Thank you to OOA members who have represented the profession at recent legislative events. OOA Past President Paul T. Scheatzle, DO, attended a reception with State Rep. Sharon Ray (R-Wadsworth). This week, several osteopathic medical students participated in an event hosted by State Sen. Stephanie Kunze (R-Dublin).

Both Ray and Kunze will be on the ballot in November and the Ohio Osteopathic Political Action Committee (OOPAC) has made contributions to their campaigns. OOPAC supports candidates on both sides of the political aisle. Among the criteria is a candidate’s work on health care issues. A strong PAC helps to open doors and strengthen the osteopathic voice at the Ohio Statehouse.

There are still several events this summer—which provide an opportunity to chat directly and informally with lawmakers involved with health care legislation. The reception ticket price or green fees have already been paid through OOPAC’s contribution. Now, we’re looking for DOs who live in these cities who are interested in attending.

Circleville August 27, golf outing
Cincinnati August 29, golf outing
Columbus September 19, reception
Lima September 23, golf outing

If you are able to attend or want more information, contact Executive Director Heidi Weber at hweber@OhioDO.org.

Strategies to Reframe the Vaccination Conversation

August is National Immunization Awareness Month, an annual observance to educate patients and the public about the power of vaccines to prevent disease and save lives. Research consistently shows that health care providers are the most trusted source of vaccine information.

At the Immunization Summit held earlier this month, advocates discussed how to increase vaccination rates in the state. Like most states, Ohio’s rates have dropped due to vaccine hesitancy, misinformation, and strong backlash to CDC recommendations for COVID vaccine in recent years. 

One of the strategies is to reframe the conversation. How vaccinations are talked about publicly plays an important role in shaping attitudes about vaccines and their benefits, as well as shaping public support for policies that increase access to vaccines. How those public conversations are framed—what we say, how we say it, what we emphasize, and what we leave unsaid—can help or hinder progress toward the ultimate goal of ensuring the health of patients through vaccination. The Summit focused on child and adolescent vaccinations.

Five evidence-based recommendations for communicating about vaccinations were presented:

1. Talk about the benefits of vaccination for the common good.
2. Talk about improving vaccination access as a preventive public health measure.
3. Focus on how vaccines are beneficial to children’s and adolescents’ long-term health and wellbeing.
4. Use a computer updates metaphor to explain how the immune system improves its performance through vaccination.
5. Use a literacy metaphor to explain how the immune system learns how to respond to viruses through vaccination.

For more information, see the Immunization Summit slides here.

Join TEAM OOA in San Antonio or at Home

Each year at OMED, the Advocates for the American Osteopathic Association (AAOA) host the AT Still Fit for Life Fun Run, a timed 5K run/walk race with proceeds designated for AAOA’s Special Projects Grant Fund. The live event is Sunday, September 22, in San Antonio, but you can participate on TEAM OOA whether or not you attend OMED.

TEAM OOA members are invited to walk or run at OMED or any time on their own during the September 20-22 weekend.

OOA Past President/AOA Board Trustee Jennifer J. Hauler, DO, serves as honorary chair of the event.

The entry fee is $35. Register here and be sure to select TEAM OOA in the dropdown box. For questions, contact Heidi Weber at hweber@OhioDO.org.