Complete Story
04/02/2025
OSMA applauds Ohio House and Senate for prioritizing patients and healthcare providers over insurers
The Ohio State Medical Association (OSMA)—Ohio’s statewide organization representing physicians—is thrilled to see commitment by members of both the House and Senate to put patients interests over insurance companies, keep medical decision-making in the hands of physicians, and shed light on the massive burdens put on our healthcare system and providers by insurance companies.
These newly-introduced bills (House Bills 214, 219, 220 and Senate Bills 160, 162, 164, 165, 166) will bring much-needed transparency to the insurmountable power insurers have at dictating medical care—power that too often disrupts the ability of physicians to effectively provide patient care, and can lead to patients facing delays and denials of medically-necessary and even life-threatening treatments.
“Patients and physicians have had enough. There is not an hour that goes by in my medical practice where an insurer is not getting in the way of me providing needed medical care to my patients. And this is a burden that is faced by physicians, practices, and healthcare systems across Ohio,” said Dr. Elizabeth Muennich, MD, FAAD, and president of OSMA “These pieces of legislation will reduce administrative burdens and return medical decision-making back into the hands of those most trusted to care for patients and save lives: Ohio’s skilled and expert physicians.”
OSMA would like to thank Senator and physician, Dr. Steve Huffman (Tipp City), for leading this initiative, as well as the bill sponsors: Senators Nathan Manning (North Ridgeville), Susan Manchester (Waynesfield), Louis Blessing (Colerain Township), Dr. Terry Johnson (McDermott), Al Cutrona (Canfield), and Dr. Beth Liston (Dublin) and Representatives Kevin Miller (Newark), Kellie Deeter (Norwalk), and Heidi Workman (Rootstown).
OSMA looks forward to working with physicians throughout Ohio to advocate for this vital insurance reform, supporting these important pieces of legislation and seeing them become law in Ohio.