Advocacy Updates

Physician in the ED Bill Update

Ohio ACEP’s priority legislation, House Bill 789 has had a first hearing before the House Health Committee. You can watch the hearing here. (It is 7:50 in). At the conclusion, the Chair indicated her hope to have additional hearings. 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. We hope you will join us in supporting the effort by letting your Representative know this is a bill worthy of passage.

APN Independent Practice Update

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 2025, Ohio ACEP President Christina Campana and others testified in opposition to HB 508. The House Medicaid Committee has scheduled a vote on HB 508 numerous times; however, those votes were ultimately pulled. This was in no small part due to the mobilization of the House of Medicine. In addition to action on HB 508, HB 449 had a sponsor hearing before the House Health Committee in March. SB 258 had a sponsor hearing the Senate Health Committee in May.

Medicaid Fraud

The State of Ohio is doing a deep dive regarding Medicaid fraud in response to recent reporting and national attention on the topic. This has been mostly focused on home health agencies. A press conference was held by Gubernatorial Candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, which was attended by currently serving leaders including the Ohio Speaker of the House and Ohio Senate President. Further, Governor DeWine issued an executive order regarding provider credentialling and authorizing Medicaid to require more frequent revalidation of Medicaid enrollment for “higher risk” providers, allowing Medicaid to terminate providers from the Medicaid rolls if they haven’t provided services for more than a year, among other things.

Legislators are looking to take action Medicaid as well. The House Medicaid Committee will be holding hearings and is targeting House Bill 795 as a vehicle for any legislative changes.

DNI Bill Introduced

A bill to create a Do Not Intubate (DNI) order has been introduced by Representative Rachel Baker. House Bill 920 would update to the current DNR law to incorporate a DNI. "Intubate" or "intubation" means the medical procedure of inserting a tube into a person's trachea to maintain an open airway and facilitate breathing. It also includes the use of a supraglottic airway device. Under the bill the DNI protocols would be established by the Ohio Department of Health. 

License Reinstatement Legislation

The Senate Health Committee has heard sponsor testimony on Senate Bill 375, sponsored by Senators Manning and Huffman, regarding the reinstatement of a medical license. This bill would allow physicians who have had their license revoked to apply for reinstatement. During questioning, Senator Manning affirmed there were no guarantees to getting a license back if the bill passed; it only creates a pathway to reinstatement. The bill also had a proponent hearing where two individuals weighed in with support.

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 had a sponsor hearing before the Senate Health Committee.

EMS Week Legislation Sent to Governor

House Bill 311 from Representatives Erika White and Jim Hoops to designate the 3^rd week of May as EMS week has been sent to the Governor for signature. This legislation was unanimously passed by both the House and the Senate. This bill is intended to make this designation to honor the service and importance of our EMS providers.

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.