Physicians have come out in force to speak out against House Bill 561 and the danger it poses to our community. As Bill Cotton, MD, co-chair of the CMA Public Policy Committee, shared in this letter to our members, the legislation would: 

• Remove a requirement that the Hepatitis B vaccine be administered to children attending childcare or preschools, putting our children at risk for lifelong liver disease, liver cancer, and chronic infections.  
• Bar public schools from keeping out unvaccinated students if outbreaks of any disease occur, putting all students at risk of contracting vaccine-preventable diseases, including those who are medically vulnerable and at a higher risk of serious complications.  
• Prohibit schools from requiring additional documentation for students to be considered exempt from vaccine requirements, causing inaccurate records and complicating the ability for schools and health department officials to respond quickly when there is a disease outbreak to protect others.   

The bill was introduced in the fall and currently sits in the House Health Committee, which held its third hearing on March 25. The Columbus Medical Association joined a coalition of state health care provider organizations to share our grave concern about the legislation: 

"Public health advocates, including physicians and nurses, are deeply concerned that this legislation weakens long-standing, evidence-based protections that prevent disease in childcare and school settings. The existing policies are not punitive. They exist to safeguard classrooms, protect medically vulnerable children and minimize disruption for families and schools. HB 561 is not about choice, but rather convenience and puts not just children but communities at risk for outbreaks."

Read the full coalition letter here. A number of physicians provided testimony during the hearing, including CMA member Zach Rossfeld, MD, who reminded committee members that Ohio already allows vaccine exemptions for reasons of conscience: 

"Parental choice in Ohio is already protected. What is not protected — what this bill actively undermines — is the health of children who have no voice and no choice in whether the community around them is vaccinated. HB 561 offers a name that sounds like empowerment. What it delivers is increased risk of preventable disease."

House Bill 561 remains in the House Health Committee. You can continue to voice your opposition by contacting members of the committee by phone or email.