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09/01/2017

House of Medicine meets

On Aug. 30, Ohio Psychiatric Physicians Association President, Tamara Campbell, MD, along with Executive Director, Janet Shaw and Lobbyist, Michelle Fitzgibbon, represented the OPPA at a House of Medicine meeting hosted by the Ohio State Medical Association (OSMA). The meeting was chaired by OSMA President, Robyn Chatman, MD.

During the nearly three-hour meeting, attendees reviewed legislation and regulatory matters that are likely to be discussed in the months ahead. Highlights included discussion of scope bills (giving certified registered nurse anesthetists independent practice, permitting psychologists to prescribe medications, and allowing physical therapists to diagnose).

House Bill 273, a bill that would prohibit a physician from being required to secure maintenance of certification (MOC) as a condition of licensure, reimbursement, employment, or hospital privileges, generated the most discussion. While many are extremely frustrated with the cost and time that MOC requires to complete, others expressed concern that elimination of professional self-regulation could open the door to outside regulation from the legislature or state medical boards. The OPPA Government Relations Committee discussed the bill on its call on Sept. 11 and decided to hold off on taking a position at this time until more information can be gained. 

Attendees reviewed the rules for medical marijuana and prescribing opioids for acute pain. There is hope that the compounding rules implemented by the State of Ohio Board of Pharmacy will be re-opened for discussion so that additional exemptions can be added.

The various physician organizations also discussed their respective positions on Issue 2, the drug pricing initiated statute that will appear on the November 2017 general election ballot. The only physician organization that has come out in support of the measure is the Ohio Academy of Family Physicians.

Finally, there was discussion about the physician organizations working together, along with the Ohio Hospital Association and other interested parties to work with legislators to introduce legislation related to telehealth for reimbursement/parity. Medicaid covers reimbursement for telemedicine/telepsychiatry, however, only a couple of private insurers provide coverage for the services provided utilizing telehealth technology.

 

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