Advocacy Updates

State Budget Update – Amendments Being Considered
The House continues to work on House Bill 96, the biennial budget bill. After several weeks of testimony, they had an amendment deadline of March 14th. We expect to see a substitute version of the bill around April 1st. There is much discussion on the future of the Medicaid program. On top of mind is how the state will react to any changes at the federal level, specifically regarding the federal match for the Group VIII population. This is known as the Medicaid expansion population. Currently, the federal government provides a 90% match for this population. If they dip below that rate, Ohio could possibly opt out of covering the population. Ohio also submitted a federal waiver to institute a work requirement for the expansion population. If that is approved, the implementation of that will create a new dynamic in Medicaid coverage.

Naloxone Legislation Introduced
Senator and physician Terry Johnson has introduced Senate Bill 137, which requires hospitals to provide overdose reversal drugs, like naloxone. This initiative is championed by The Naloxone Project and supported by Ohio ACEP. The bill also allows the hospital to seek reimbursement for the drug. The Senate Health Committee will consider this legislation.

Higher Education Overhaul Clears the House
Senator Jerry Cirino has reintroduced legislation to overhaul Higher Education, Senate Bill 1. Cirino had championed SB 83 in the previous General Assembly, which ultimately stalled in the House. The bill walks back some of the changes made to SB 83 in an attempt to reach a consensus. Notable changes included in SB 1 is a provision that was removed in the last General Assembly, banning all union employees employed by a public institution from striking. Additionally, SB 1 includes a ban on any DEI initiatives, except where compliance with state and federal law is required. The House added an amendment that specifies institutions can seek a waiver to comply with state or federal professional licensure requirements or to obtain or retain accreditations.

SB 1 has passed both the House and the Senate by mostly party line votes. The House passed the bill on March 19th. Since the House made changes, the Senate must concur on those changes before sending the bill to the Governor. Governor DeWine has already signaled he intends to sign the bill.

Non-Complete Legislation Pending
Senate Bill 11 has been introduced by Senators Louis Blessing (R-Colerain Township) and William DeMora (D-Columbus). This legislation would broadly prohibit noncompete agreements between employers and workers. Under the bill, no employer would be permitted to enter into or attempt to enter into a noncompete agreement with an employee, including presenting a noncompete agreement as a condition of hire. Employers would also be barred from actions such as restricting workers from working for other employers for a specific period, in a particular geographical area, or in a similar capacity.

SB 11 would extend these protections to employees, independent contractors, externs, interns, volunteers, apprentices, sole proprietors providing services to clients, and individuals offering services through businesses, nonprofit organizations, or associations.

The legislation is being considered by the Senate Judiciary Committee. Ohio ACEP has previously supported legislation that would specifically ban certain non-compete clauses for physicians. The Chapter intends to formally support this broader approach to the topic. The bill is generally opposed by the business community.

Want to Learn More?
If you’re interested in viewing the status of all of the bills Ohio ACEP is tracking, you can find that here.