04/02/2023

An April Message From OHOS Lobbyist, Matt Whitehead

  OHOS Lobbyist

  Matt Whitehead

  Government Policy Group, Inc.

March has been a hectic month with legislative deadlines looming including the passage of the state’s biennial Transportation budget by March 31st and amendments due for the state budget by April 5th in advance of the General Assembly taking a two-week recess in the first half of April. 

Prior Authorization Gold Card Program - Among the March action was the formal introduction on March 23rd of the Prior Authorization Gold Card Program for Ohio providers bill by Representative Kevin Miller (R-Newark) as House Bill 130.  House Bill 130 has been referred to the House Insurance Committee for consideration.  The bill will be heard for the first time after the legislative recess. 

Biomarker Testing - Additionally, House Bill 24, sponsored by Representative Andrea White (R- Kettering), has received two hearings by the House Insurance Committee.  House Bill 24 seeks to require health benefit plan and Medicaid program coverage of biomarker testing and had a second hearing on March 29th.  Among the nearly 20 proponent witnesses providing supportive live and written testimony were OHOS Executive Director Michelle Weiss and Dr. Jeanna Knoble, Managing Physician Partner at the Zangmeister Cancer Center.  Dr. Knoble wrote in her submitted comments, “Unfortunately, while biomarker testing has proven to be a vital tool in our fight against cancer, we continue to see insurers delay or deny coverage for patients. Frequently, when our patients are denied coverage, we find they are forced to pay out of pocket and often struggle to locate additional resources or programming that might offset the cost of testing. As we see biomarker testing continuing to drive accuracy in treatment decisions, we believe it is increasingly important that payers recognize the value of this testing.”

OHOS Executive Director Michelle Weiss shared, “House Bill 24 would expand coverage of biomarker testing in Ohio and make it possible for more patients to get the right treatment at the right time. This is not only for the best, most effective treatment of cancer for that patient, but it also saves money by possibly avoiding treatment and costs that may not be effective for that patient. For these reasons we respectfully request that the members of the Insurance Committee support biomarker testing legislation.”  All the testimony can be reviewed here.  The testimony provided was compelling and showed committee members the human side of the issue and the current costs borne by the patients. The committee hearing may be viewed starting at the 3:15 mark at the link here.  

Co-Pay Accumulator – The House sponsor of the co-pay accumulator bill is seeking to add the bill as an amendment to the state budget, even though it has not been formally introduced yet.  As stated above, the amendment deadline is April 5, 2023, but you are encouraged to contact your House member before April 21st and “express support for the amendment sponsored by Representative Manchester to regulate co-pay accumulators”.  Find your representative here:  https://ohiohouse.gov/  .

One final issue that was reintroduced and had March activity was Senate Bill 59, sponsored by Senator Terry Johnson.  Senate Bill 59 seeks to prohibit the provision of sun lamp tanning services to individuals under age 18.   The bill has been introduced on behalf of the Ohio State Medical Association and OHOS has been a supporter of the bill in past legislative sessions.  Proponent testimony is likely after the legislative recess.

Have a great month and enjoy your Easter or Passover celebrations!