11/13/2024

LEGISLATIVE ALERT: Join OAPA in Opposing HB 73

The Ohio Association of Physician Assistants tirelessly advocates for Ohio PAs, including raising our voice when we see legislation that may negatively impact PA practice and the safety and effectiveness of patient care in Ohio.

House Bill 73 has already passed the Ohio House and is currently in the Senate Health Committee, which has now returned to meeting after the fall recess and elections.

This bill presents multiple significant risks to patient safety and Ohio's healthcare practice integrity. It undermines the role of healthcare providers, disrupts coordinated care, and imposes unrealistic and harmful mandates on pharmacists.

Key concerns from OAPA's perspective are that the bill:

• enables out-of-state providers to selectively intervene in the care of Ohio patients
• forces hospital physicians to provide any prescription medication requested by the patient and mandates hospitals to use patient-supplied medications if identifiable
• mandates written informed consent for every off-label prescription while, paradoxically, restricting the ability to prescribe controlled substances for off-label indications
• diminishes pharmacists' ability to intervene in unsafe prescription cases, forcing them to dispense any prescription regardless of potential harm
• advocates for Ohio to dismiss World Health Organization guidelines

OAPA submitted opponent testimony this summer and continues to oppose the bill, along with many other Ohio-based medical associations and providers.

How Can You Help?

Please contact your Ohio State Senator TODAY to share your thoughts and encourage them to oppose this legislation if and when it comes to a vote in the Senate. You can use this tool to find your local legislator and you can refer to OAPA's previous testimony for formulating your personal opposition to the bill.

To further help us advance PA practice through government advocacy, please support the OAPA Legislative Fund!