December 2025 Advocacy Update

The OOA brings advocacy directly to members through ongoing engagement and by investing in a government relations firm to represent osteopathic interests at the Statehouse. Our members power this work. Membership dues support and sustain a strong advocacy program, ensuring doctors have a voice in policy decisions. OOPAC backs pro-osteopathic candidates on both sides of the aisle who champion the issues DOs care.

Advocacy Report

Daniel Hurley

Lobbyist, Barnes & Thornburg Strategies

OOA has had a busy fall on the advocacy front, both in and outside the Ohio Statehouse. The 2026 elections will shape the health policy landscape in Ohio and nationally; scope-of-practice bills remain a top concern; and insurance reforms could change how prior authorizations, copays, and appeals are handled.

As things continue to change, OOA is at the table – meeting with lawmakers, testifying on bills, and coordinating with coalitions to make sure osteopathic voices are heard.  

Ohio Statehouse 

More than 40 OOA members gathered at the Statehouse for DO Day, meeting with nearly half of Ohio’s legislators. The feedback from participants was excellent, and OOA is already planning another DO Day for 2026.  

Among the legislation OOA is watching and that DO Day participants spoke to legislators about are:

• HB 353: Would change the title from Physician Assistant to Physician Associate. The House Health Committee remains skeptical.  
• HB 508: Would expand the APRN scope of practice. Opponent testimony was taken before Thanksgiving, but it remains in committee.
• SB 160: Non‑medical switching bill. OOA was pushing hard to get it out of committee before year‑end, but it has not yet moved beyond a third hearing.  
• SB 301: A physician non‑compete bill introduced by Sen. Terry Johnson, DO. It’s in a favorable committee and could gain traction.  

The Ohio Coalition of Primary Care Providers met in November to set priorities for 2026. Key focus areas are protecting Medicaid funding if federal support drops and vigilance around preserving evidence-based vaccine policy, as we see anti‑vax bills pending and a new caucus forming.  

Other bills that are moving that could directly affect practice and patients include:  

• HB 214: Creates a “Gold Card” program to speed up prior authorizations.  
• HB 219: Sets network adequacy standards.  
• HB 220: Adds requirements for appeals and peer reviews of PA denials.  
• HB 390: Addresses copay collection.  
• SB 162: Limits insurance clawbacks.  
• SB 164: Regulates use of AI in claims and PA processing.  
• SB 165: Strengthens “prudent layperson” protections for ER visits.  
• SB 207: Ensures copay assistance counts toward deductibles.  
• SB 230: Allows pharmacists to test and treat RSV, COVID, and flu.  
• SB 25: Restricts tanning bed use by minors.  
• HB 162: Mandates parental access to minor medical records.  
• HB 324: Restricts access to certain drugs with high adverse side effects.  

2026 Elections

Ohio will be in the national spotlight again with the U.S. Senate race. Jon Husted is running to succeed Vice President J.D. Vance, and former Senator Sherrod Brown is trying to make a comeback. The outcome could decide which party controls the Senate.  

In the other chamber, new congressional district maps were approved with bipartisan support. They may put longtime Democrats Marcy Kaptur and Greg Landsman in tough spots.  

In the governor’s race, Vivek Ramaswamy is expected to be the Republican nominee, and Dr. Amy Acton is the lone Democrat in the race after Tim Ryan stepped aside. The OOA PAC sponsored a small, private fundraiser with Ramaswamy’s team to talk healthcare issues.  

DeWine Administration

Medicaid Director Maureen Corcoran stepped down at the end of October, and a longtime DeWine health policy aide has stepped in to lead the department. Meanwhile, Gov. Mike DeWine signed an order banning intoxicating hemp products like Delta‑8, an order currently tied up in court.