09/17/2025
Fall Legislative Preview
The OSMA Advocacy team is expecting a busy legislative session this fall, kicking off within the next few weeks at the Statehouse.
Numerous OSMA advocacy priorities are among the many items that we anticipate will be up for deliberation by elected officials within the next couple of months before the holidays.
Here is a brief preview of the issues that OSMA anticipates will see lots of activity this fall...
Insurance Reform Legislation:
OSMA is excited to continue to support a series of major insurance reform legislative proposals, the majority of which were introduced this spring. Since then, several more have trickled in and joined the OSMA’s advocacy agenda. Some of these bills have already had sponsor testimony hearings since their introduction, which means that a handful will likely move into the next stage of the process this fall – proponent testimony. At that time, OSMA will need volunteers to provide firsthand perspectives about these issues and help to illustrate how critical it is that we enact meaningful insurance reform in Ohio.
Tackling issues such as prior authorization (HB 214, HB 220), automatic downcoding (SB 165), network adequacy (HB 219), takebacks (SB 162), and non-medical switching (SB 160), this slate of legislation sheds light on the burdens insurance companies are causing for physicians and their patients and would help to bring much-needed relief.
For more information, or to reach out with your support, stories, or to volunteer to testify, please visit our Insurance Reform page.
Scope of Practice Legislation:
We expect that several scope of practice bills will be the subject of activity this fall, and OSMA is prepared to continue to advocate for physician-led, team-based care. Current legislation on our radar this fall includes proposals about the scope of practice of allied practitioners such as:
- APRNs (HB 449/SB 258): Recently, legislation was introduced in the House and Senate which would grant independent practice authority to advanced practice registered nurses. OSMA is working to meet with legislators and educate them about this issue, advocating for the physician-led, team based approach to care.
- Midwives (HB 224): OSMA has numerous concerns about this legislation, which would regulate and license the practice of certified midwives and licensed midwives, including provisions related to scope of practice, eligibility criteria, and licensure requirements.
- Optometrists (SB 36): This legislation would alter the scope of practice of Ohio optometrists by allowing them to perform certain surgical procedures. OSMA is working in cooperation with the Ohio Ophthalmological Society (OOS) in opposition to this issue.
- Physician Assistants (HB 353): This bill would change the title used by physician assistants to “physician associate.” This is an issue of concern for OSMA because we believe this title change will not only cause patient confusion, but is also likely a step in the process toward pursuing independent practice for PAs.
- CRNAs (HB 52): As a reminder, OSMA opposed the introduced version of HB 52, concerning the scope of practice of certified registered nurse anesthetists, due to lack of specifics and potential impacts to patient safety. Thankfully, we were able to work with the sponsor extensively on this legislation and the most recent version of the bill incorporated changes that resulted in OSMA and other physician organizations withdrawing opposition. We continue to monitor this bill’s progress.
- Pharmacists (SB 230): OSMA is opposing legislation which would allow for Ohio pharmacists to conduct screenings, order and administer laboratory and diagnostic tests, evaluate the results of the screenings conducted and tests that are ordered and administered, and provide treatment for the following health conditions:
- Influenza
- Pharyngitis caused by the bacteria known as “group A streptococcus”
- COVID-19
- Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
- Other respiratory conditions, if specified in rules developed and adopted under this legislation.
Other Legislative Issues:
OSMA will monitor the legislative environment carefully as the session unfolds, and we believe we may also see activity on the following existing OSMA priority issues:
- SB 25: Use of Indoor Tanning Services by Minors: OSMA is supporting SB 25 alongside the Ohio Dermatological Association. As a reminder, this would prohibit use of indoor tanning services by individuals under age 16 in Ohio. For those aged 16-17, it would require that parental/legal guardian consent be provided each time the individual seeks to use the services and additionally, that the parent/legal guardian be present for the duration of each session during which services are rendered.
- HB 112: Anti-Vaccine Legislation: OSMA and a large coalition of healthcare and business groups are working together in opposition to HB 112, legislation which is hostile toward vaccination efforts and other infectious disease prevention measures.