I will be providing the OHSIPP Board periodic with updates on various pieces of legislation and things happening at the state level in Columbus and I will be providing you all an update.
There is not much going on in Columbus as the new General Assembly just got sworn in. Thus, there are not many bills that are going to impact us.
Governor DeWine’s budget was sent out last week and still needs to go through the Ohio House and Senate and then through committees and finally back to him to sign.
VACCINE UPDATE:
As of February 5:
Pfizer and Moderna to Increase Vaccine Supply
Governor DeWine announced that Ohio can expect to see more available doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. The Governor stated Ohio currently receives about 73,000 doses a week from Moderna and Pfizer. Moderna is expected to increase vaccine production to about 105,000 next week and Pfizer vaccine production is expected to grow by as much as 40% by mid-March. More than 935,000 people have received the vaccine in Ohio so far.
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE:
Currently – given the general assembly is just starting for 2021 – I only have two bills that I am tracking that may have impact to OHSIPP. As the year continues to progress this tracker will increase to multiple bills and pieces of legislation that may impact our members.
Senate Bill 6 – Interstate Licensure Compact: This allows for licensure of multiple states through a compact; it is driven by COVID and the ability to practice across many states. It seems to have a lot of political momentum to pass. This may allow physicians from other states to come to Ohio or practice via telemedicine. Likewise, licensees in Ohio may be allowed to practice in other states as well. We do not have a lot of information, as the bill it still in committee; I will have a better update in one month. AMA, OSMA, major groups support this.
Senate Bill 48 – Cultural Competency: Requires certain health care professionals to complete cultural competency. This bill was just introduced on February 3. No major details are available yet nor do we know if this will actually pass.
TELEMEDICINE UPDATE:
Last General Assembly Senate Bill 1: This bill did NOT pass prior to closing of the last General Assembly. I presume there will be another bill introduced this go-around which I will track closely on the impact of telemedicine and what the long-term rules and guidelines will be.
Regards,
Amol Soin, MD