Spring 2026 Advocacy Update

The OOA brings advocacy directly to members through ongoing engagement and investment. Our members power this work. Membership dues support and sustain a strong advocacy program, ensuring doctors have a voice in policy decisions. OOPAC backs pro-osteopathic candidates on both sides of the aisle who champion the issues DOs care about.

Advocacy Report

Daniel Hurley

Lobbyist, Barnes & Thornburg Strategies

May 5th Primary Preview
Statewide Offices: Ohio’s Primary Election will take place on May 5th, and early voting is currently underway. On the Republican side, Vivek Ramaswamy has two challengers (Casey Putsch and Heather Hill), but is expected to win. There are also competitive primaries for Secretary of State (Sprague v. Strbich) and Treasurer of State (Roegner v. Edwards). There are two competitive Democratic primaries: Secretary of State (Russo v. Hambley) and Attorney General (Kulewicz v. Forhan).

Congressional Races: Ohio’s marquee Senate race is already set (Husted v. Brown); however, there are some notable competitive primaries for GOP-targeted seats (1st, 9th, 13th). Several Republicans (Merrin, Williams, Sheahan) are vying for the chance to challenge incumbent Democrat Marcy Kaptur. There are also crowded primaries for the 1st and 13th District, which are currently held by Congressman Greg Landsman and Congresswoman Emilia Sykes, respectively. Locally, Democrats are hoping to make the 15th District competitive (Mike Carey seat) and have a primary between Don Leonard and Adam Miller.

State Legislative Primaries: There are several competitive statehouse primaries that could determine the ideological makeup of Majority caucus in each chamber. Republicans are in no danger of losing their majorities:

  • 1st SD: McColley running for LG; State Rep. Jim Hoops and former State Rep. Craig Reidel vying
  •  19th SD: Brenner running for Ohio House; State Rep. Beth Lear and Ryan Rivers running in primary.
  • 7th HD: Russo term-limited and running for Secretary of State; three way Democratic primary, including UA Mayor (Jeeter), former statehouse aide (Hahn-Burriss), and a pediatrician (Rossfeld)
  • 31st HD: Roemer term-limited; former Husted staffer Mike Kahoe and OAMF founder Stephanie Stock running against each other; could be a pickup for Dems.
  • 40th HD: Incumbent State Rep. Creech facing challenge from former State Rep. J. Todd Smith (Creech previously planned to run for Ohio Senate against Phil Plummer)
  • 48th HD: Oelslager term-limited; crowded GOP primary including former State Rep. Christina Hagan.
  •  61st HD: Lear running for Ohio Senate; State Sen. Andy Brenner and former State Rep. Shawn Stevens vying for seat (Huffman backing Brenner while local GOP backing Stevens)
  • 86th HD: Richardson term-limited; Republican primary between Wezlynn Davis (previously challenged Richardson) and Ben Weber (backed by Ohio Chamber, former House staffer)
  • 96th HD: Incumbent State Rep. Ron Ferguson facing challenge from former State Senator Frank Hoagland

Notable Legislation and Priorities

Senate Bill 301 (Health Care Non-Compete Clauses): Sponsored by State Senator Terry Johnson, DO (R-McDermott), would place limits on non-compete contracts at hospitals for physicians, PA’s, and APRN’s. Under the bill, non-competes would be limited to a six-month term, a maximum of 15 miles, and require a single site of practice to be indicated (as opposed to all facilities owned by or affiliated with the hospital). The bill has received three hearings in the Senate General Government Committee and faces opposition from the Ohio Chamber of Commerce and Ohio Hospital Association. OOA and other physician groups have testified in support; however, the bill faces a tough road ahead.

House Bill 353 (Physician Assistant Name Change): Sponsored by State Representative Brian Lampton (R-Beavercreek) and Gayle Manning (R-North Ridgeville), would change the title of physician assistants to ‘physician associates.’ The bill has received three hearings in the House Health Committee and is likely dead for the remainder of the 136th General Assembly. OOA and other groups have testified in opposition, and we anticipate a broader scope of practice bill for PAs in the next General Assembly.

State Medical Board Membership Update: We continue to discuss modifying the physician make-up of the State Medical Board of Ohio to allow for more than one osteopathic physician to serve. OSMA is concerned over a reduction of MDs; however, there is some interest among lawmakers in allowing some seats to be an MD or DO. Current statutory composition is seven MD’s, one DP, one DPM, and three ‘consumer’ seats; the DeWine Administration is strongly opposed to converting a consumer seat to a physician seat. Most states do not differentiate between types of physicians in their enabling statute.

Scope of Practice Legislation and Issues: There are several scope of practice bills that have seen hearings, though overall the General Assembly is cool to passing any of these bills in 2026. We will continue to coordinate with other physician groups, and may need to mobilize quickly in Lame Duck

  • APRN Independent Practice: There are three APRN independent practice bills pending in the General
    Assembly: House Bill 449, sponsored by State Representatives Tim Barhorst (R-Fort Loramie) and Riordan McClain (R-Nevada), House Bill 508, sponsored by State Representatives Jennifer Gross (R-West Chester) and Rachel Baker (D-Cincinnati), and Senate Bill 258, sponsored by State Senators George Lang (R-West Chester) and Mark Romanchuk (R-Ontario). Of these bills, HB 508 has proven to be the most difficult as it sets a high threshold for APRN independent practice (5,000 supervised hours), has bipartisan support (both sponsors are nurse practitioners), and is pending in the House Medicaid Committee, chaired by State Rep. Gross.
  • Pharmacist Test and Treat: There are two bills that would allow pharmacists to administer simple tests and treat certain conditions under a physician-led protocol. Senate Bill 230, sponsored by State Senator Mark Romanchuk (R-Ontario), would allow pharmacists to treat a handful of respiratory conditions (flu, RSV, COVID, strep) and empowers the State Pharmacy Board to add conditions in the future. House Bill 629, sponsored by State Representatives Tim Barhorst (R-Fort Loramie) and Jennifer Gross (R-West Chester), would allow pharmacists to test and a treat several condition and administer certain drugs (much broader than SB 230).
  • Naturopathic Medicine Licensure: Sponsored by State Senator Terry Johnson, DO (R-McDermott), would establish a license for naturopathic medicine. The bill received a first hearing in the Senate Health Committee but is unlikely to see movement given the limited legislative calendar and strong opposition from health care organizations. Licensure would be handled by the State Medical Board and Dr. Johnson is likely to chair the Health Committee next year.

Anti-Vaccine Legislation and Issues: Ohio’s current vaccine laws are codified in statute by disease and therefore we are insulated from any radical changes to vaccine recommendations by CDC. Or Secretary Kennedy. In general, we do not anticipate any adverse legislation to pass. Further, the DeWine Administration is committed to supporting immunization, including the release of public data on kindergarten rates and launch of an ad campaign promoting vaccines this summer.

  • House Bill 112 (Workplace Vaccine Requirements): Sponsored by State Representatives Jennifer Gross (R-West Chester) and Beth Lear (R-Galena), would generally prohibit employers from requiring flu or other vaccines as a condition of employment. The bill also prohibits requiring vaccination for organ transplants or other medical procedures. The bill has received a single hearing in the House Judiciary Committee and faces opposition from not only health care groups, but business organizations.
  • House Bill 561 (Childhood Vaccine Changes): Sponsored by State Representatives Melanie Miller (R-Ashland) and Monica Robb Blasdel (R-Columbiana), would modify Ohio’s current childhood vaccine requirements. The bill requires schools and childcare centers to notify parents of available exemptions, remove hepatitis B from the current list of required vaccines, and prohibit unvaccinated students from being kept out of school during an outbreak. The bill has received three hearings in the House Health Committee and is unlikely to advance without significant amendments.

Senate Bill 160 (Non-Medical Switching): Sponsored by State Senators Terry Johnson, DO, (R-McDermott) and Beth Liston, MD, (D-Dublin), would prohibit health plans from modifying prescription drug coverage during a plan year. The bill has received several hearings in the Senate Financial Institutions, Insurance, and Technology Committee and could see a vote in May. The bill would face an uphill battle passing the Ohio House of Representatives, even if it clears the Senate before Memorial Day.

House Bill 324 (Dangerous Drugs Prohibitions): Sponsored by State Representatives Meredith Craig (R-Smithville) and Adam Mathews (R-Lebanon), would place restrictions on access to certain prescription drugs if they are determined to have a 5% or higher adverse event occurrence by the Ohio Department of Health or another regulatory body. The bill is meant to curb access to mifepristone; however, it is likely to impact access to other drugs. Following voter approval of the 2023 reproductive rights amendment, lawmakers have begun targeting abortion drugs indirectly to sidestep the Ohio Constitution. The bill passed the Ohio House of Representatives and could see hearings this Spring in the Ohio Senate.

Other Updates

Rural Health Transformation: The first round of Rural Health Transformation funds ($202m per FY); initial
grants were made for rural hospitals ($30m) and OhioSEE ($50m). Some lawmakers, including members of
the Rural Health Committee (founded by Reps. Craig and Deeter) have expressed frustration over the lack of input from the General Assembly. Recently, State Reps. Tim Barhorst (R-Fort Loramie) and Ty Moore (R-Caldwell) introduced HB 772, which would expand legislative oversight of the Rural Health Transformation
program.

Property Tax Update: The General Assembly’s reform package (HB 124, HB 129, HB 186, HB 309 and HB 335) took effect last month, though any reduction in revenue to local government entities will not occur until next year. Lawmakers are expected to continue hearings on property tax legislation, but no major bills are expected to move this year. The ballot campaign to eliminate property taxes is still working on signature collection (July 1st is the deadline for the November ballot). Vivek Ramaswamy has pledged to cut property taxes, and lawmakers are likely to explore additional legislation next year.

Printer-Friendly Version