Advocacy News
11/09/2023
State Medical Board Advances Podiatry Rules
The State Medical Board of Ohio (SMBO) unanimously voted to advance two important administrative rules relating to the podiatry scope of practice to the Common Sense Initiative as part of a multi-step review process. SMBO proposed no changes to rules that define foot and outline requirements for podiatrists to perform surgery on the ankle joint.
10/26/2023
State Medical Board Seeks Comments on Podiatry Rules
The State Medical Board of Ohio (SMBO) on October 16 opened a public comment period on two important administrative rules relating to the podiatry scope of practice. The rules define foot and outlines requirements for podiatrists to perform surgery on the ankle joint.
09/28/2023
CGS Reconsiders Local Coverage Determination on Skin Substitutes
A CGS Local Coverage Determination (LCD) that would have placed new limits on the use of skin substitutes for the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers and venous leg ulcers will not be implemented October 1. CMS announced on September 28 that a new proposed LCD will be published for comment and presented in an open meeting in the near future.
09/20/2023
Tuition to Drop 30% for Ohioans Attending KSUCPM
Ohio students enrolled at Kent State University College of Podiatric Medicine (KSUCPM) will see a $13,866 decrease in tuition effective the 2024 spring semester. The change is a result of the state of Ohio providing $6.8 million in state funding through the 2024-25 state budget.
08/29/2023
CGS Local Coverage Determination Places New Limits on Use of Skin Substitutes
A CGS Local Coverage Determination (LCD) will place new limits on the use of skin substitutes for the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers and venous leg ulcers. The LCD, which becomes effective September 17, 2023, states “greater than four applications of a skin substitute graft or cellular and/or tissue-based products (CTP) within the episode of skin replacement surgery (defined as 12 weeks from the first application of a skin substitute graft or CTP)” are “not medically reasonable and necessary.”
08/02/2023
Column: State Budget Victory Years in the Making
It took some new approaches, the right political winds, and some perseverance to secure State Share of Instruction funding for Kent State University College of Podiatric Medicine, explains OHFAMA Executive Director Mike Mathy.
07/19/2023
Ohio’s Biennium Budget Impacts State Medical Board of Ohio
Ohio’s biennium budget includes changes that will impact State Medical Board of Ohio (SMBO) licensees. Below is a summary of the law changes that become effective October 3, 2023.
07/05/2023
State Budget Boosts Medicaid Reimbursement Rates, Provides KSUCPM Funding
New funding for Kent State College of Podiatric Medicine and a 5% increase in Medicaid reimbursement rates for podiatrists are highlights of the state budget signed into law July 3 by Ohio Governor Mike DeWine.
06/07/2023
Senate Budget Includes KSUCPM Funding
The Ohio Senate’s version of the state budget bill released June 6 includes $3.4 million each fiscal year in State Share of Instruction funding for Kent State University College of Podiatric Medicine. If adopted, KSUCPM estimates Ohio’s in-state graduates would earn their degrees with a nearly 30% decrease in student debt.
05/11/2023
Department of Medicaid Budget Includes Reimbursement Increase for Podiatrists
The Ohio Department of Medicaid (ODM) budget includes a 5% increase in the Medicaid reimbursement rates for podiatrists.
02/27/2023
Health Care Non-Competes Face Uncertain Future
Last summer, President Joe Biden signed a wide-ranging executive order last summer that encourages the Federal Trade Commission to draft rules to “curtail the unfair use of non-compete clauses and other clauses or agreements that may unfairly limit worker mobility.”
02/27/2023
Board Approves Telehealth Rules
The State Medical Board adopted new telehealth rules that will become effective on February 28, 2023. These rules implement the requirements of the telehealth statute (R.C. 4743.09) for physicians (MD, DO, and DPM), physician assistants, dietitians, respiratory care professionals, and genetic counselors.
11/09/2022
2022 Election Recap
Ohio Republicans maintained their stronghold on controlling Ohio’s legislative and statewide offices, sweeping to victories in all five statewide offices and increasing their supermajorities in both the Ohio House and Ohio Senate. They also maintained control of the state Supreme Court and kept the US Senate seat of the retiring Rob Portman in Republican hands.
11/24/2021
Commentary: Orthopaedic Associations Continue Assault on Our Scope of Practice
The Ohio Orthopaedic Society and a Connecticut-based orthopaedic surgeon opened a new front in the orthopaedic community's seemingly never-ending war on our scope of practice. Click on the headline for more information.
05/27/2021
Governor Signs COVID-19 Vaccine Bill into Law
A bill that provides Ohio podiatrists with statutory authority to administer the COVID-19 vaccine has been signed into law.
12/11/2020
Ohio Flu Shot Bill Signed into Law
An Ohio bill that enables podiatrists in Ohio to administer the influenza vaccine to individuals seven-years-old or older was recently signed into law by Governor Mike DeWine.
