Healthcare

in committee · Ohio · House Jan 28, 2025

HB 12: Enact the Jeff, Dave, and Angie Patient Right to Try Act

To enact section 3792.08 of the Revised Code regarding prescribing, dispensing, and administering drugs and to name this act the Jeff, Dave, and Angie Patient Right to Try Act.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareThe bill establishes a 'Patient Right to Try,' which expands patient access to drugs and protects their right to seek experimental treatments, thus advancing healthcare.95% confidence

Track

in committee · Ohio · Senate Oct 1, 2025

SB 257: Establish the SCOPE Pilot Program

SB 257 establishes the SCOPE Pilot Program to support children's psychological and emotional health through a temporary initiative. The bill allocates funding to test mental health services for children, though it does not specify the exact services, duration, or eligibility criteria. It directly affects children in the state by providing access to these services during the pilot phase. The abstract does not detail how the program will operate or its long-term plans beyond the initial trial.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesThe bill allocates funding for the SCOPE Pilot Program, directly impacting state appropriations and government spending to fund a new program.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationSB 257 funds mental health services for children, which supports student well-being and indirectly enhances their ability to engage with and benefit from education.80% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareSB 257 establishes a pilot program to fund and provide access to mental health services for children, directly supporting the mental health aspect of healthcare.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health Children's Health Mental Health

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in committee · Ohio · House Feb 18, 2026

HB 8: Require health plan and Medicaid coverage of biomarker testing

HB 8 requires health insurance plans and Ohio Medicaid to cover biomarker testing for diagnosis, treatment, and ongoing disease monitoring when ordered by a provider as medically necessary. The bill mandates coverage only for tests supported by specific evidence, such as FDA-approved uses, clinical guidelines, or peer-reviewed studies showing improved health outcomes, and explicitly excludes screening purposes. It also requires plans to minimize disruptions in care (like multiple biopsies) and ensures an accessible appeal process for coverage denials. This affects patients with conditions requiring these tests and healthcare providers ordering them, but does not change existing coverage for screening.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill mandates Ohio Medicaid coverage for biomarker testing, directly increasing government spending and appropriations for healthcare services.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareHB 8 mandates health insurance and Medicaid coverage for medically necessary biomarker testing, expanding patient access to diagnostic and monitoring services.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentHB 8 mandates health insurance plans to cover biomarker testing, thereby expanding the scope of health benefits available to workers.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Medicaid

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in committee · Ohio · Senate Mar 19, 2025

SB 140: Regards freestanding birthing centers

SB 140 defines "freestanding birthing center" as a facility providing low-risk pregnancy, delivery, and postpartum care without hospital licensing. It requires all such centers to have a written plan for transferring patients to a hospital during complications. Accredited centers (by the Commission for Accreditation of Birth Centers) are exempt from needing a formal hospital transfer agreement, while non-accredited centers must establish one with a local hospital. The bill, introduced in 2025, would affect birthing centers and their patients by setting specific operational standards for emergency transfers.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareSB 140 defines and regulates freestanding birthing centers, requiring patient transfer plans for complications, which strengthens safety and standards within healthcare services.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Women's Health

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passed · Ohio · House Jun 25, 2025

HB 141: Regards prescribed pediatric extended care centers

To enact sections 3724.01, 3724.02, 3724.03, 3724.04, 3724.05, 3724.06, 3724.07, 3724.08, 3724.09, 3724.99, 5164.27, and 5166.111 of the Revised Code regarding prescribed pediatric extended care centers.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill enacts sections regarding prescribed pediatric extended care centers, directly supporting specialized health services for children and involving Health and Human Services and Medicaid.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Children's Health Medicaid

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in committee · Ohio · Senate Jan 29, 2025

SB 36: Revise the law governing the practice of optometry

To amend sections 4725.01, 4725.011, 4725.02, 4725.09, 4725.11, 4725.12, 4725.121, 4725.13, 4725.15, 4725.16, 4725.18, 4725.19, 4725.20, 4725.21, 4725.23, 4725.231, 4725.24, 4725.25, 4725.26, 4725.27, 4725.31, 4725.34, 4725.35, 4725.501, 4725.531, and 4725.59, to enact section 4725.012, and to repeal section 4725.131 of the Revised Code to revise the law governing the practice of optometry.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareThe bill revises laws governing the practice of optometry, a medical profession. Policies affecting medical professionals are integral to the Healthcare topic, and such revisions generally aim to strengthen the regulatory framework for health serv...75% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing

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signed · Ohio · Senate Jun 9, 2026

SB 137: Require hospitals to provide overdose reversal drugs

To enact sections 3727.81, 3727.811, and 5119.192 of the Revised Code to require hospitals to provide overdose reversal drugs under certain circumstances.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeThe bill addresses the opioid crisis by requiring overdose reversal drugs. This aligns with public health and harm reduction strategies that support criminal justice reform by reducing drug-related deaths and potential criminal justice involvement.75% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareThe bill requires hospitals to provide overdose reversal drugs, directly improving patient access to critical health services and strengthening public health initiatives.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Hospitals Substance Abuse

in committee · Ohio · Senate Jun 18, 2025

SB 222: Require audit, action plan-Aged, Blind, Disabled Medicaid group

SB 222 requires the state to conduct a comprehensive audit of the Medicaid eligibility process for the Aged, Blind, and Disabled group. It mandates that the state develop a corrective action plan to address any identified issues found during the audit. The bill also includes funding (an appropriation) to cover the costs of the audit and implementation of the action plan. This directly affects how Medicaid eligibility is processed for this specific group of beneficiaries.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesThe bill includes an appropriation to fund an audit and action plan, directly affecting state budgets and government spending for fiscal management.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates audit & action plan for Medicaid eligibility (Aged, Blind, Disabled) with funding, aiming to improve access & administration of healthcare services for a vulnerable group.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransSB 222 improves Medicaid eligibility processes for the Aged, Blind, and Disabled group. Many veterans fall into this group, so improving access to Medicaid indirectly supports their healthcare and benefits.65% confidence

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability Long-Term Care Medicaid

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passed · Ohio · House Apr 15, 2026

HB 220: Regards health insurance, Medicaid prior authorization

To amend sections 1751.72, 3923.041, and 5160.34 of the Revised Code regarding health insurance and Medicaid program prior authorization requirements.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill amends health insurance and Medicaid prior authorization requirements, a common legislative effort to improve patient access and streamline healthcare processes.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Medicaid

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passed · Ohio · Senate Mar 5, 2025

SCR 1: Urge designation of illicit fentanyl a weapon of mass destruction

To urge the 119th Congress to introduce and pass legislation similar to the Stop Our Scourge Act of 2023, directing the Secretary of Homeland Security to designate illicit fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeDesignating fentanyl as a WMD would expand criminalization and likely lead to harsher penalties and stricter enforcement within the criminal justice system for fentanyl-related offenses.80% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill addresses illicit fentanyl, a major public health crisis (Substance Abuse and Addiction), by urging its designation as a weapon of mass destruction, thereby seeking to protect public health.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Substance Abuse

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