Advocacy Updates

ACEP Opposes APRN Independent Practice Legislation

There are three different bills pending in the Ohio legislature that would give advanced practice nurses (APNs) a path to independent practice. Senate Bill 258,  House Bill 449, and House Bill 508. Each bill eliminates the requirement for APNs to have a collaboration agreement after they complete a certain number of clinical hours (2,000 or 5,000 hours, depending on the bill). They also allow APNs to be a “collaborating provider” to other APNs if they have completed their clinical hours and are practicing independently.

HB 508 is garnering the most attention at the moment as it was referred to a committee chaired by one of the bill sponsors. At the proponent hearing, supporters included several APRNs, the Ohio Council of Behavioral Health & Family Services Providers, Americans for Prosperity, Trinity Health Systems, and others.

Ohio ACEP President Christina Campana testified in opposition to the bill on November 18^th, along with other physician groups. Dr. Campana presented data to support the importance of physician-led healthcare, especially in the emergency department. Ohio ACEP has shared a call to action with the membership, and we encourage you to contact your State Representative in opposition to these bills. Please complete this form.

Click here to read Dr. Campana’s testimony or watch the recording of her testimony (Dr. Campana's testimony begins at 20:54). 

ACEP Supports Healthcare Provider Non-Compete Legislation

Senator Terry Johnson has reintroduced legislation regarding healthcare provider non-compete clauses. Senate Bill 301 applies to physicians, physician assistants, and APNs. Under the bill, non-profit hospitals would be prohibited from requiring that a physician, PA, or APRN sign a non-compete agreement. However, a non-profit hospital may require a healthcare professional, as a condition of employment with the hospital, to agree that, at the conclusion of the employment with the hospital, the employee will refrain, for a period not to exceed six months, from obtaining employment within a radius of fifteen miles of the physical location where the employee was employed with the hospital.

Ohio ACEP submitted proponent testimony on this legislation for the November 18^th hearing before the Senate General Government Committee, along with the OSMA. While we would prefer a more definitive ban on this practice, SB 301 would be a big step in the right direction.

Ohio ACEP Supported of Naloxone Legislation Moves Forward

Senator and physician Terry Johnson is sponsoring Senate Bill 137 to require hospitals to provide overdose reversal drugs, like naloxone. This initiative is championed by The Naloxone Project and supported by Ohio ACEP. The bill also allows the hospital to seek reimbursement for the drug. Ohio ACEP Past President Dr. Michael McCrea, Past President Dr. Ryan Squier, and Dr. James Neuenschwander have all provided in-person testimony in support before either the House or Senate Health Committees. There are no opponents to the legislation, and it was unanimously passed by the Ohio Senate.  We hope for favorable House action early in 2026.

ParaMedicine Legislation – ACEP Lends Support

Senator Susan Manchester has introduced Senate Bill 220 to establish insurance coverage for paramedicine services. This would require insurers and Medicaid to provide reimbursement for EMS organizations providing nonemergency medical services to members of the community.

The bill specifies that a community paramedicine program must operate under the direction of the EMS organization's medical director or a cooperating physician advisory board.  Ohio ACEP’s EMS committee has reviewed the legislation and is supportive of the proposal. This legislation is being considered by the Senate Financial Institutions, Insurance, and Technology Committee. Ohio ACEP submitted proponent testimony for the November 4, 2025, hearing.

Contracting Legislation Introduced

Representative Adam Mathews has introduced House Bill 589 regarding changes to contracts. The bill expands the definition of material amendment to:

"Material amendment" means an amendment to a healthcare contract, including an amendment to any program, policy, or procedure of the contracting entity that is applicable to participating providers under the health care contract, that decreases the participating provider's payment or compensation, changes the administrative procedures in a way that may reasonably be expected to significantly increase the provider’s administrative expenses, or adds a new product.

It also extends the time that providers have to respond to changes from 15 days to 30 days. And it specifies that both parties must agree to material amendments to contracts. 

PA Name Change Legislation

Legislation is pending in the House Health Committee to change the title of physician assistants to physician associates. House Bill 353 was introduced by Representatives Brian Lampton and Gayle Manning. Many medical societies, including the OSMA, oppose this change. Changing the name of the profession will cause patient confusion. National ACEP has issued a position on this, as PAs are pursuing this change nationwide. At the proponent hearing on October 22, 2025, several physician assistants testified. At the hearing on November 18^th, nine opponent testimonies were submitted. The physician assistants also tried unsuccessfully to amend the bill into an unrelated occupational license reform bill.

Child Abuse Reporting

House Bill 346 from Representatives Mathew Kishman and Josh Williams would require mandatory reporters of child abuse to report that suspected abuse to both a peace officer and the public children’s services agency in the county in which the child resides or in which the abuse or neglect is occurring or has occurred. This applies to healthcare providers who are currently required to report abuse.  Currently, the mandatory reporter is only required to submit the report to the children’s services agency. This bill is pending in the House Public Safety Committee. At the sponsor hearing on November 4, 2025, the committee’s Chairwoman indicated support for the bill's concept.

Want to Learn More?

If you’re interested in viewing the status of all of the bills Ohio ACEP is tracking, you can find that here.