December 2, 2022

The Ohio General Assembly’s post-election “Lame Duck” session is in full swing. Any legislation that does not pass by the end of December must be re-drafted and start from scratch in January with the newly elected General Assembly. The Legislature hopes to complete its work by December 15, but as with all items during this time, that is subject to change. 

Below is an update on some of the legislative issues getting consideration that have been on the CMA’s policy agenda: 

• HB 558: Repository for Donated Drugs. This bill would expand the ability of charitable pharmacies to accept donated medications. The bill passed the House and is getting Senate hearings in the Health Committee. 

• HB 431 Stroke Registry. This bill to establish a statewide stroke registry database has passed the House and is getting hearings in Senate Health Committee.

• HB 135: Co-Pay Accumulator. This bill helps patients with prescription coupons and insurance costs. Bill passed House and is having Senate hearings, where it is facing questions of effectiveness vs costs. 

• HB 456: Decriminalizing Use of Fentanyl Testing Strips. The intent of this bill is to allow a way to test legal substances for fentanyl contamination. The bill passed the House 72-4 and now goes to the Senate potential hearings.

• HB 492: Mental Health Training for High School Coaches. This bill has been supported as a way to support youth in may be in need of professional mental health services. The bill passed the House and is getting hearings in Senate’s Primary and Secondary Education Committee 

• HB 283: Distracted driving as a primary offense. This bill is a step to trying to improve automobile use safety. The bill has passed the House and is in the Senate Judiciary Committee. 

HB 454: Limit Transgender Care for Minors. House leaders said this week that this bill would not be taken up in 2022 and would need to be reintroduced in the next General Assembly. The reason cited was the need for more medical information 

Abortion. This week the President of the Senate made public comments that he thought it would be "highly unlikely" that lawmakers will ban abortion from the point of conception this year. But he expected some legislation that would attempt to amend the “heartbeat” standard legislation that would be intended to clarify when doctors can perform abortions to save the mother's life. 

Franklin County Election Results: House District 5. The race between incumbent Democratic Representative Richard Brown and Republican Ronald Beach IV is headed to an automatic recount. This week the Board of Election released official totals showing Brown ahead by just 145 votes. Election-night results showed Beach, an Ohio University graduate student, ahead by 96 votes, but absentee and provisional ballots put Brown ahead. If Brown maintains his lead Republicans will start the next session with a 67-32 supermajority in the Ohio House, rather than 68-31. 

Malcolm Porter

Public Policy Consultant

for the CMA

About the CMA's Advocacy Newsletter

Malcolm Porter is a public policy and political affairs consultant. He has done policy and political advisory work for the Columbus Medical Association, and affiliate organizations for nearly 20 years. As a local medical society, CMA physicians have supported and participated in public policy development with traditional physician stakeholder organizations. Additionally, CMA physicians have been directly responsible for initiating individual pieces of legislation that were driven by their own agenda.

Any CMA physician is welcome to contact Malcolm directly with your questions or concerns.

Columbus Medical Association | 614-240-7410 | www.ColumbusMedicalAssociation.org

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