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03/03/2026
Early prenatal care rates declining in U.S.
The share of U.S. births to women who began prenatal care in the first trimester dropped from 78.3% in 2021 to 75.5% in 2024. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data, starting care later in pregnancy or getting no care at all has been on the rise. Prenatal care beginning in the second trimester rose from 15.4% to 17.3%, and starting care in the third trimester or getting no care went from 6.3% to 7.3%.
Read More >02/28/2026
Gov. DeWine's final State of the State Address - March 11
On the same day as OPPA's 2026 Advocacy Day at the Statehouse, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine will deliver his final “State of the State” address to a joint session of the General Assembly next month, per a resolution introduced and approved Wednesday in the House. The chamber passed HCR36 (Manning), which sets Wednesday, March 11 as the date of the speech. The resolution still needs Senate approval which likely won’t happen until Wednesday, March 4 – the next day a Senate session is set at this point. It will begin at noon in the House Chambers.
Read More >02/28/2026
Medicare Telehealth Waivers - extended through Dec. 31, 2027
Recent federal action brings welcome news to telehealth services for Medicare providers and patients. Congress has formally extended key Medicare waivers through Dec. 31, 2027. Congress passed H.R. 7148, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026, and the bill was signed into law last week. Importantly, the legislation retroactively covers the brief lapse period, restoring continuity to Medicare telehealth coverage.
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