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. 

A number of state measures that impact the practice of medicine and public health had movement in the past month.

• House Bill 8, requiring insurance coverage of biomarker testing, passed the House and is now headed to the Ohio Senate.
• House Bill 52, signed into law by Governor DeWine on March 3, eliminates the requirements that a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) practice with supervision.
• House Bill 220, a bill supported by the Ohio State Medical Association (OSMA), aims to reform insurance prior authorization processes to reduce burdens on physicians and patients. This measure reported out of House Health Committee on March 17 and will now move to the full House for a vote.
• House Bill 449 and House Bill 508 are similar bills that would allow Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) to practice without a standard care agreement (SCA) and collaborating practitioner and permit an APRN’s collaborator to be another APRN. HB 508 had a 4th hearing on March 17; HB 449 had a first hearing on March 11.
• House Bill 589, which would require health insurance companies to provide material amendments to the contract to providers at least 90 days prior to the effective date, had a second hearing on March 11.
• Senate Bill 137 requires hospitals to provide overdose reversal drugs to patients who present to the emergency department for adverse events related to opioid use. This was signed into law by the Governor on March 5.
• House Bill 561 would permit parents to object to immunization requirements and not vaccinate their children in daycare, preschools, and schools. The bill had a first hearing in the House Health Committee on February 4 and a second hearing on March 18.

The Columbus Medical Association joined a coalition of health agencies and associations to urge members of the Ohio House of Representatives Health Committee against House Bill 561, expressing grave concern about our community’s ability to prevent infectious disease outbreaks. Read more in this letter from Public Policy Committee Co-Chair Dr. Bill Cotton here. 

We are pleased to offer physician members preferred access to legal counsel through Daphne Kackloudis of Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP, who is extending a 10% discount off her hourly rate for physician-related legal services.

Daphne brings focused experience in healthcare and also serves as the Columbus Medical Association’s Public Policy Consultant on healthcare-related issues. CMA Members may access counsel on scope of practice and licensure matters; payor issues; employment matters (including employment and independent contractor agreement review and non-compete analysis), corporate matters (including practice and partnership issues), regulatory concerns, litigation, and select personal legal planning needs.

This benefit is designed to provide trusted legal guidance when important professional decisions arise.

You can contact Daphne via email at dkackloudis@shumaker.com or 614-940-4543.