House Committee Evaluates CRNA Scope of Practice Bill, OOA Expresses Opposition

The Ohio House of Representatives Health Committee held a public hearing Wednesday on HB 191, legislation that would significantly expand the scope of practice of certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs). The bill, which is getting a wave of support from nurses around the state, threatens to fundamentally change how physicians and CRNAs work together in a collaborative manner by broadening the scope of practice of CRNAs and adding undefined prescriptive authority.

Proponents allege to have eliminated provisions from the initial bill that would have allowed CRNAs to practice independently of a supervising physician, but the substitute bill specifies multiple expansions of CRNA authority. The OOA and other medical organizations still have considerable concerns about the measure and testified in opposition. The ordering authority for drugs is not well-defined and the use of the term “perianesthesia period” in which CRNAs could order drugs are a few of several concerns.

AOA Seeks Feedback on CME Guide, Online CME Policy Changes

The AOA’s Bureau on Osteopathic Specialties (BOS) is seeking public comment on the recently released 2019-2021 Continuing Medical Education Guide. The submitted comments will be shared with the BOS and made available for the Board of Trustees deliberations. The deadline for public comment is December 19.

Also, the COCME (Council on Osteopathic Continuing Medical Education) is accepting public comment on a resolution which is pending approval of the AOA Board of Trustees. The resolution would remove the 15-credit maximum for online CME programs in a cycle. The resolution alters AOA requirements in favor of current ACCME requirements. Submitted comments must be made by January 4, 2019, and will be made available for the AOA Board of Trustees deliberations at its February Midyear Meeting.

Review and comment on additional AOA policy here.

Lame Duck Session Kicks Off

With the elections now over, the legislature shifted into high gear this week reviewing bills in committee as well as on the floor. Multiple health care bills were considered, including:

• SB 259: Testimony was heard this week by the House Health Committee. SB 259 would modify physician assistant scope of practice by increasing the maximum number of PAs a physician can supervise from 3 to 5. The bill also streamlines licensure requirements and makes procedural changes in the PA drug formulary process.
• HB 191: Opponent testimony was heard by the House Health Committee on Wednesday. Please see the story above for more information. 
• HB 465: The bill would separate pharmacy benefits from the state’s Medicaid managed care plans. Testimony was heard in the House Health Committee.
• HB 258: The “heartbeat bill” passed the House. The bill bans abortions following the first detectable fetal heartbeat. Gov. John Kasich has vowed to veto the bill.
• Step Therapy Advocacy Day was Tuesday. The two bills—HB 72/SB 56—allow patients taking certain medications to continue taking those medications if they change health insurance policies. The bill ensures protocols are based on appropriate clinical guidelines. The OOA supports step therapy reform legislation. If you’ve not done so already, please urge your legislator to support the legislation.

AOA Offers Grant Funding in Five Priority Areas

The AOA offers grant funding to DOs, osteopathic medical students, and PhD researchers who conduct studies addressing one of five key focus areas: chronic diseases and conditions, musculoskeletal injuries and prevention, OMM/OMT, osteopathic philosophy, and pain management. Grant application cycles last from November 1 until January 31, 2019. Funded projects will be announced in June. Grants are also available for new investigators.

In 2017, the AOA awarded more than $1 million in grant funding for research projects that demonstrate the value osteopathic physicians offer patients and the greater health care community.

Get more information at the AOA website.