Thank you to those that testified Wednesday morning on behalf of preserving HB 73-8 version in Senate Health committee this morning. Expert witness, and frontline doctor and attorney Geoff Mitchell, and Barbara Swartz and Ken McEntee gave compelling testimonies about the obstruction of doctors ability to treat patients due to pharmacist intervention in both inpatient and outpatient settings. Sadly, a profoundly altered version of the bill was adopted instead of the -8 version approved by Representative Gross, OAMF and the families that HB 73 was written for.
We were surprised to find out that the Huffman version of HB 73 was scheduled for a vote just a few hours later with no time for objection or discussion.
We were surprised to find out that the Huffman version of HB 73 was scheduled for a vote just a few hours later with no time for objection or discussion.
House Republicans sent a strong message to Senate leadership tonight by voting NO on accepting Chairman Huffman’s gutted version of HB 73. Do NOT give up hope!!
Representative Gross, OAMF, and the MAHA Caucus will return next assembly to FIGHT for REAL legislation to PROTECT your right to outpatient and inpatient access to drug options and for medical free speech for Healthcare providers!!
(Note- Wiggam was with us but had to step out briefly - his name is a “nay” vote on the paper record.)
Representative Gross, OAMF, and the MAHA Caucus will return next assembly to FIGHT for REAL legislation to PROTECT your right to outpatient and inpatient access to drug options and for medical free speech for Healthcare providers!!
(Note- Wiggam was with us but had to step out briefly - his name is a “nay” vote on the paper record.)
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Thank you Representative Gross for standing with OAMF and thee families we represent and asking for non-concurrence vote onHuffman‘s Senate re-write of HB. 73 last night.
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🚨CALL 2 ACTION IN COMMENTS🚨
Ask Republican Senators to SUPPORT Representative Gross’ amended Senate version of HB 73 so that at LEAST patients aren’t denied nutrition in the hospital, doctors’ licenses are PROTECTED against attacks from OH licensing boards because they prescribe a drug off-label, or have a medical opinion that does not fit the narrative of “health authorities”, and the WHO is prevented from having jurisdiction in Ohio!
We only have TWO DAYS to SAVE part of HB 73! PLEASE CONTACT OHIO SENATORS TODAY!!!
Ask Republican Senators to SUPPORT Representative Gross’ amended Senate version of HB 73 so that at LEAST patients aren’t denied nutrition in the hospital, doctors’ licenses are PROTECTED against attacks from OH licensing boards because they prescribe a drug off-label, or have a medical opinion that does not fit the narrative of “health authorities”, and the WHO is prevented from having jurisdiction in Ohio!
We only have TWO DAYS to SAVE part of HB 73! PLEASE CONTACT OHIO SENATORS TODAY!!!
Please send this email to the following Senators:
Dear Senator,
The version of HB 73 that passed the senate was so gutted and provided almost no protection to the point that Dave & Angie’s family asked to have their names removed from the bill.
There is an opportunity for the Senate to pass a version of HB 73 that will at LEAST protect health providers from having their licenses attacked for prescribing off-label, protects their medical free speech, guarantees patients are not starved or dehydrated in the hospital, and states the world health organization does not have jurisdiction over public health policy in the state of Ohio. The content of this bill is in alignment with the beliefs and policies of the incoming Trump administration and is greatly wanted by health providers and citizens. Please watch the two videos below that include information on HB 73 and Trump’s stance on these issues:
Free Speech On public health-
x.com/OhioAMF/status…
Right to try-
x.com/MdBreathe/stat…
World Health Organization-
(WHO teeth)
I would also like to remind you that the incoming Vice President is Pro-medical freedom and is aware of HB 73 and that it was held up in the senate for nearly 18 months.
x.com/OhioAMF/status…
I am asking you today to please review the below version of HB 73 that will at least provide Ohioans with SOME of the basic protections of HB 73.
drive.google.com/file/d/1SWkYjU…
What a tragedy that the Ohio House would vote 75-16 for a strong intact version of the bill and leave Ohioans begging for scraps from the Senate. Please do not ignore our voices a second time. Please voice your support to Senators Steve and Matt Huffman for one of Representative Gross’s proposed Conference Committee versions of HB 73.
Thank you, “
Please send emails to:
Steve Huffman: Huffman@ohiosenate.gov
Matt Huffman: SHuffman@ohiosenate.gov
CC the following Republican Senators:
Mccolley@ohiosenate.gov, gavarone@ohiosenate.gov, reynolds@ohiosenate.gov, lang@ohiosenate.gov,
Antani@ohiosenate.gov, wilson@ohiosenate.gov, blessing@ohiosenate.gov, hackett@ohiosenate.gov, manning@ohiosenate.gov, johnson@ohiosenate.gov, kunze@ohiosenate.gov, wilkin@ohiosenate.gov, cirino@ohiosenate.gov, brenner@ohiosenate.gov, schaffer@ohiosenate.gov, romanchuk@ohiosenate.gov, dolan@ohiosenate.gov, reineke@ohiosenate.gov, Roegner@ohiosenate.gov, chavez@ohiosenate.gov, landis@ohiosenate.gov, obrien@ohiosenate.gov, cutrona@ohiosenate.gov
Dear Senator,
The version of HB 73 that passed the senate was so gutted and provided almost no protection to the point that Dave & Angie’s family asked to have their names removed from the bill.
There is an opportunity for the Senate to pass a version of HB 73 that will at LEAST protect health providers from having their licenses attacked for prescribing off-label, protects their medical free speech, guarantees patients are not starved or dehydrated in the hospital, and states the world health organization does not have jurisdiction over public health policy in the state of Ohio. The content of this bill is in alignment with the beliefs and policies of the incoming Trump administration and is greatly wanted by health providers and citizens. Please watch the two videos below that include information on HB 73 and Trump’s stance on these issues:
Free Speech On public health-
x.com/OhioAMF/status…
Right to try-
x.com/MdBreathe/stat…
World Health Organization-
(WHO teeth)
I would also like to remind you that the incoming Vice President is Pro-medical freedom and is aware of HB 73 and that it was held up in the senate for nearly 18 months.
x.com/OhioAMF/status…
I am asking you today to please review the below version of HB 73 that will at least provide Ohioans with SOME of the basic protections of HB 73.
drive.google.com/file/d/1SWkYjU…
What a tragedy that the Ohio House would vote 75-16 for a strong intact version of the bill and leave Ohioans begging for scraps from the Senate. Please do not ignore our voices a second time. Please voice your support to Senators Steve and Matt Huffman for one of Representative Gross’s proposed Conference Committee versions of HB 73.
Thank you, “
Please send emails to:
Steve Huffman: Huffman@ohiosenate.gov
Matt Huffman: SHuffman@ohiosenate.gov
CC the following Republican Senators:
Mccolley@ohiosenate.gov, gavarone@ohiosenate.gov, reynolds@ohiosenate.gov, lang@ohiosenate.gov,
Antani@ohiosenate.gov, wilson@ohiosenate.gov, blessing@ohiosenate.gov, hackett@ohiosenate.gov, manning@ohiosenate.gov, johnson@ohiosenate.gov, kunze@ohiosenate.gov, wilkin@ohiosenate.gov, cirino@ohiosenate.gov, brenner@ohiosenate.gov, schaffer@ohiosenate.gov, romanchuk@ohiosenate.gov, dolan@ohiosenate.gov, reineke@ohiosenate.gov, Roegner@ohiosenate.gov, chavez@ohiosenate.gov, landis@ohiosenate.gov, obrien@ohiosenate.gov, cutrona@ohiosenate.gov
It takes 5 minutes to cut and paste the email script and cut and paste the contacts into your email.
Please HELP NOW! 🙏🏼🇺🇸🙏🏼
Please HELP NOW! 🙏🏼🇺🇸🙏🏼
🚨Senators are in CAUCUS right NOW🚨
EMAIL SENATORS ASAP ⬇️
“Dear Senator,
Chairman Huffman has agreed to 3 of the provisions in Representative Gross’ most basic version of HB 73 but wants to remove the section that prevents licensing boards from taking a doctor or pharmacist’s licenses simply because they prescribe or fill an OFF-Label drug the board doesn’t agree with!! This was passed in the original Senate version. Why would it be removed now?
Please advocate on behalf of health providers across Ohio by asking Chairman Huffman and Senate President Matt Huffman to KEEP Rep. Gross’ SECTION C off-label licensing protections for doctors and pharmacists in her conference committee version INTACT!
Thank you!! “
EMAIL SENATORS ASAP ⬇️
“Dear Senator,
Chairman Huffman has agreed to 3 of the provisions in Representative Gross’ most basic version of HB 73 but wants to remove the section that prevents licensing boards from taking a doctor or pharmacist’s licenses simply because they prescribe or fill an OFF-Label drug the board doesn’t agree with!! This was passed in the original Senate version. Why would it be removed now?
Please advocate on behalf of health providers across Ohio by asking Chairman Huffman and Senate President Matt Huffman to KEEP Rep. Gross’ SECTION C off-label licensing protections for doctors and pharmacists in her conference committee version INTACT!
Thank you!! “
⬇️Please send emails to⬇️
Huffman@ohiosenate.gov,
SHuffman@ohiosenate.gov,
Mccolley@ohiosenate.gov, gavarone@ohiosenate.gov, reynolds@ohiosenate.gov, lang@ohiosenate.gov,
Antani@ohiosenate.gov, wilson@ohiosenate.gov, blessing@ohiosenate.gov, hackett@ohiosenate.gov, manning@ohiosenate.gov, johnson@ohiosenate.gov, kunze@ohiosenate.gov, wilkin@ohiosenate.gov, cirino@ohiosenate.gov, brenner@ohiosenate.gov, schaffer@ohiosenate.gov, romanchuk@ohiosenate.gov, dolan@ohiosenate.gov, reineke@ohiosenate.gov, Roegner@ohiosenate.gov, chavez@ohiosenate.gov, landis@ohiosenate.gov, obrien@ohiosenate.gov, cutrona@ohiosenate.gov
Huffman@ohiosenate.gov,
SHuffman@ohiosenate.gov,
Mccolley@ohiosenate.gov, gavarone@ohiosenate.gov, reynolds@ohiosenate.gov, lang@ohiosenate.gov,
Antani@ohiosenate.gov, wilson@ohiosenate.gov, blessing@ohiosenate.gov, hackett@ohiosenate.gov, manning@ohiosenate.gov, johnson@ohiosenate.gov, kunze@ohiosenate.gov, wilkin@ohiosenate.gov, cirino@ohiosenate.gov, brenner@ohiosenate.gov, schaffer@ohiosenate.gov, romanchuk@ohiosenate.gov, dolan@ohiosenate.gov, reineke@ohiosenate.gov, Roegner@ohiosenate.gov, chavez@ohiosenate.gov, landis@ohiosenate.gov, obrien@ohiosenate.gov, cutrona@ohiosenate.gov
🔹HB 73 UPDATE🔹
The Conference Committe version of HB 73 that Rep.Gross proposed to Chairman Huffman contained licensing protection provisions that were INCLUDED in the SENATE PASSED version of the bill that HE called the vote on! We just fixed the 2 loopholes that were in them and then sent it back to Chairman Huffman for approval.
Instead of accepting it, he waits 2 days, cuts the license protection for Off -label prescribing and filling section, said he is NOT calling conference committee, and is now going to only put the 3 provisions into a bill that might die and can be line-item VETOED by the Governor. What!??
There is NO reason to remove the Off-label licensing protections that the Senate already voted FOR. It makes NO sense and is completely unreasonable.
Senate leadership already took 65% of the bill, can they not give the PEOPLE 35% at least!??
The Conference Committe version of HB 73 that Rep.Gross proposed to Chairman Huffman contained licensing protection provisions that were INCLUDED in the SENATE PASSED version of the bill that HE called the vote on! We just fixed the 2 loopholes that were in them and then sent it back to Chairman Huffman for approval.
Instead of accepting it, he waits 2 days, cuts the license protection for Off -label prescribing and filling section, said he is NOT calling conference committee, and is now going to only put the 3 provisions into a bill that might die and can be line-item VETOED by the Governor. What!??
There is NO reason to remove the Off-label licensing protections that the Senate already voted FOR. It makes NO sense and is completely unreasonable.
Senate leadership already took 65% of the bill, can they not give the PEOPLE 35% at least!??
OAMF and our advocates could not have worked any harder.
Our champion bill sponsor Rep Gross could not have worked any harder.
Rep. Swearingen could not have fought any harder in conference committee for us.
But in the end, Matt and Steve Huffman made the decision that out of all the strong protections in HB 73, the ONLY 3 things that were allowed to be voted on by the Senate to give the families of the victims who died because Ohio pharmacists obstructed the filling of Off-label treatment options were the following.
1.) Medical Free Speech for health providers without fear of fines or lose of license.
2.) The W.H.O. does not have jurisdiction in the state and no state funding can be used to implement or incentivize their health policies or mandates.
3.) Patients can not be starved or denied fluids in the hospital.
Our champion bill sponsor Rep Gross could not have worked any harder.
Rep. Swearingen could not have fought any harder in conference committee for us.
But in the end, Matt and Steve Huffman made the decision that out of all the strong protections in HB 73, the ONLY 3 things that were allowed to be voted on by the Senate to give the families of the victims who died because Ohio pharmacists obstructed the filling of Off-label treatment options were the following.
1.) Medical Free Speech for health providers without fear of fines or lose of license.
2.) The W.H.O. does not have jurisdiction in the state and no state funding can be used to implement or incentivize their health policies or mandates.
3.) Patients can not be starved or denied fluids in the hospital.
Because Steve Huffman declined to call a conference committee for HB 73 by the deadline, the only bill that was left to put the skeleton language into was HB 315.
This bill has a funding provision in it, which means that Governor DeWine is allowed to do “line item Vetoes” in it.
You would think it would be political suicide to line item VETO, free speech and the prohibiting of hospitals from starving patients right before the Christmas holiday,, but who knows.
This is your Republican “super majority”.
It’s probably time to start gathering donations for primary season.
Don’t lose hope.
The fight will continue.
Even what we got was more than our opposition thought we could accomplish.
“We the people” will imerge even stronger for the next battle.
This bill has a funding provision in it, which means that Governor DeWine is allowed to do “line item Vetoes” in it.
You would think it would be political suicide to line item VETO, free speech and the prohibiting of hospitals from starving patients right before the Christmas holiday,, but who knows.
This is your Republican “super majority”.
It’s probably time to start gathering donations for primary season.
Don’t lose hope.
The fight will continue.
Even what we got was more than our opposition thought we could accomplish.
“We the people” will imerge even stronger for the next battle.
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OAMF warned this was coming for over a year. Unbelievable timing considering this week, Senate President Matt Huffman, with the help of Health Chair Steve Huffman, made sure to KILL all the provisions of HB 73 that would have allowed you access to off-label treatment options for Bird Flu,Covid, or any other virus they throw at the Trump administration. I guess now we just wait to see what the Ohio body count for Bird Flu will be under their “leadership”.
Thankfully, the Never Alone Act was signed today, so at least you can rest assured knowing that you will be able to watch your loved-one die from lack of treatment options from their bedside this time, instead of through the window.
“Health officials on Wednesday confirmed the first known severe illness in the U.S. caused by BIRD FLU, and CALIFORNIA’s governor DECLARED a state of EMERGENCY as the virus rampages through dairy cattle in the state.”
Thankfully, the Never Alone Act was signed today, so at least you can rest assured knowing that you will be able to watch your loved-one die from lack of treatment options from their bedside this time, instead of through the window.
“Health officials on Wednesday confirmed the first known severe illness in the U.S. caused by BIRD FLU, and CALIFORNIA’s governor DECLARED a state of EMERGENCY as the virus rampages through dairy cattle in the state.”
Dr. Chuck Thurston was not only a brilliant doctor who saved countless lives and tenaciously advocated for hospitalized patients being denied treatment during Covid. He was also a devout Christian and a loving husband to his wife Therese. He gave freely of his time to others, including giving testimony for HB 73 in the house in May 2023. He passed away just a few days before we were able to pass some of the provisions of HB 73, a bill that was very important to him as a physician.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to his wife and his family. May they be comforted in this great time of loss.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to his wife and his family. May they be comforted in this great time of loss.
Well folks.. the HB 73 plot thickens.
As we have made everyone aware, Senators Matt and Steve Huffman REFUSED to allow the health provider off-label license protection provision into HB 315 claiming the Senate didn’t want it. That made ZERO sense because that EXACT language was in the Steve Huffman’s version of HB 73 that PASSED the Senate floor!
Well here is the ONLY reason that makes sense….
As we have made everyone aware, Senators Matt and Steve Huffman REFUSED to allow the health provider off-label license protection provision into HB 315 claiming the Senate didn’t want it. That made ZERO sense because that EXACT language was in the Steve Huffman’s version of HB 73 that PASSED the Senate floor!
Well here is the ONLY reason that makes sense….
The Governor and OH senate APPOINT the members of the Ohio Board of medicine who are responsible for investigating and removing the licenses of physicians who “violate public health and safety standards”!!! Our best guess is that DeWine and Matt Huffman worked with Steve to write the Senate Sub-bill for HB 73 SO BADLY that they knew Rep Gross and the House would NOT concur with and then they could claim the House was “unreasonable” and “killed the bill.” What they didn’t count on is massive public outcry demanding that Senate leadership come back to the table to Pass SOMETHING of actual VALUE for patients and healthcare providers! We knew that Matt and Steve Huffman would never allow the legitimate drug access provisions to be included in HB 73 because of their OH Business Roundtable/ OH Chamber, Ohio hospital and pharmacy lobby donor entanglements, as well as their close relationship with former Senator Dave Burke (who is currently the HEAD of the Ohio Pharmacists Association). So we came back to the table to at least preserve the sections, NOT related to a pharmacist having to fill a doctor’s prescription.
Rep. Gross gave that skeleton language to Chairman Huffman early afternoon on Dec. 13th in preparation for a conference committee to be called for HB 73. The Chairman sent it to Senate legal and let it sit for nearly 3 days. Huffman NEVER mentioned cutting the off-label license protection allowing for a debate. He instead dropped only 3 of the 4 requested provisions as an amendment to HB 315 INSTEAD of calling a conference committee as planned. Chairman Huffman then made Senate members believe that Rep. Gross was ok with only the 3 provisions going into HB 315 knowing full well Rep. Gross and all the bill supporters wanted conference committee.
Chairman Huffman then submitted his 3-provision version of HB 73 to request it be added to HB 315 and Rep. Gross quickly prepared and submitted an amendment request for all 4 provisions that the Senate had already voted FOR.
Speaker Stephen’s appointed Representative DJ Swearingen to the Conference Committee on HB 315. DJ worked diligently to explain to the Senate Conference committee members that Rep. Gross was asking for provisions they already voted for with a correction for a grave mistake in a Senate passed version that would have caused a drug prescribing BAN instead of just saying the bill did not apply to the prescribing of those drugs.
Senators McColley and Manning would NOT allow the Off-label licensing provision because Matt would not allow it.
WHY?
Because they KNEW DeWine would VETO it to protect the Ohio Medical Board that HE oversees and that would make his office and Lt. Governor HUSTED look ant-medical freedom. They don’t want that kind of Stink on Husted as he is trying to get Pro-Medical freedom, JD Vance’s Senate appointment because he knows Vivek would crush him in his Governor race.
As usual the “leadership” in our state plays political GAMES with legislation that would PROTECT the LIVES of Ohioans and the Healthcare providers that care for them.
At least the truth is coming to light. The more Ohio voters learn the nefarious nature of the political players, the better equipped we are to work toward their REMOVAL in PRIMARY elections.
Rep. Gross gave that skeleton language to Chairman Huffman early afternoon on Dec. 13th in preparation for a conference committee to be called for HB 73. The Chairman sent it to Senate legal and let it sit for nearly 3 days. Huffman NEVER mentioned cutting the off-label license protection allowing for a debate. He instead dropped only 3 of the 4 requested provisions as an amendment to HB 315 INSTEAD of calling a conference committee as planned. Chairman Huffman then made Senate members believe that Rep. Gross was ok with only the 3 provisions going into HB 315 knowing full well Rep. Gross and all the bill supporters wanted conference committee.
Chairman Huffman then submitted his 3-provision version of HB 73 to request it be added to HB 315 and Rep. Gross quickly prepared and submitted an amendment request for all 4 provisions that the Senate had already voted FOR.
Speaker Stephen’s appointed Representative DJ Swearingen to the Conference Committee on HB 315. DJ worked diligently to explain to the Senate Conference committee members that Rep. Gross was asking for provisions they already voted for with a correction for a grave mistake in a Senate passed version that would have caused a drug prescribing BAN instead of just saying the bill did not apply to the prescribing of those drugs.
Senators McColley and Manning would NOT allow the Off-label licensing provision because Matt would not allow it.
WHY?
Because they KNEW DeWine would VETO it to protect the Ohio Medical Board that HE oversees and that would make his office and Lt. Governor HUSTED look ant-medical freedom. They don’t want that kind of Stink on Husted as he is trying to get Pro-Medical freedom, JD Vance’s Senate appointment because he knows Vivek would crush him in his Governor race.
As usual the “leadership” in our state plays political GAMES with legislation that would PROTECT the LIVES of Ohioans and the Healthcare providers that care for them.
At least the truth is coming to light. The more Ohio voters learn the nefarious nature of the political players, the better equipped we are to work toward their REMOVAL in PRIMARY elections.
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🚨URGENT MIDNIGHT DEADLINE
Tell Senator Matt Huffman to “SIGN & DELIVER HB 315 to Governor DeWine BEFORE MIDNIGHT TONIGHT so Republicans have a CHANCE to reconvene for a VETO OVER-RIDE!” ⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️
(614) 466-7584
Huffman@ohiosenate.gov
Tell Senator Matt Huffman to “SIGN & DELIVER HB 315 to Governor DeWine BEFORE MIDNIGHT TONIGHT so Republicans have a CHANCE to reconvene for a VETO OVER-RIDE!” ⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️
(614) 466-7584
Huffman@ohiosenate.gov
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How long will Lt. Governor Husted remain silent on DeWine’s intention to line item, VETO medical free speech, when this clearly is against our constitution and the incoming Trump administration agenda? If Lieutenant Governor Husted will NOT stand for FREE SPEECH then he will stand for NOTHING as a Senate replacement for Vance or as the next Governor.
“Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine said he plans to veto a controversial policy that would've prevented the state from disciplining healthcare workers for spreading misinformation.”
“Despite the fact that health authorities continue to remind citizens to “trust their doctor,” some doctors are attacked for their prescription choices," Gross said in her testimony.”
There is NO INFORMED CONSENT without medical FREE SPEECH.
“Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine said he plans to veto a controversial policy that would've prevented the state from disciplining healthcare workers for spreading misinformation.”
“Despite the fact that health authorities continue to remind citizens to “trust their doctor,” some doctors are attacked for their prescription choices," Gross said in her testimony.”
There is NO INFORMED CONSENT without medical FREE SPEECH.