Ohio House Passes Patient and Health Provider Protection Act

COLUMBUS—The Dave and Angie Patient and Health Provider Protection Act, House Bill 73, today favorably passed out of the Ohio House of Representatives with bipartisan support, announced bill sponsor, State Rep. Jennifer Gross (R-West Chester).

The bill will provide four overarching protections to healthcare providers and patients:

• Protect Ohio citizens’ access to potentially life-saving off-label use medications
• Protect a prescribing healthcare provider, pharmacy, or pharmacists’ ability to fill off-label prescriptions
• Protect the free speech of health providers and their right to express independent medical opinions when they differ from that of health and licensing agencies
• Protect patients from being denied nutrition or standard daily medications in the hospital if they do not consent to a particular protocol treatment

"As a legislator, it is my duty to ensure that the liberties of my constituents are protected,” said Gross. “Our healthcare providers should not fear retaliation for providing medication they deem best for their patients.”

The Dave and Angie Patient and Health Provider Protection Act now heads to the Ohio Senate for further consideration.