Legislative Update Janice Lanier JD RN Liaison Public Policy Committee
Budget season is upon us.
Every new general assembly must enact the state’s biennial budget by June 30th so the bill can go into effect July 1st. This heavy lift occurs in the first year of a new general assembly. While it is called the “budget bill”, the lengthy piece of legislation (often thousands of pages long) is much more that a series of appropriations. Many significant policy changes are tucked inside its pages. It affects every aspect of state government, including the fate of many programs and pet policy proposals championed by various legislators, executive branch agency heads, and special interest groups.
The actual bill always originates in the Ohio House of Representatives; however, the governor provides his (or her) initial budget proposal that signals the needs and priorities of the executive branch before the bill actually is introduced. Given the relatively short period of time legislators have to meet the mandated deadlines, testimony from state agency heads about their programs and priorities often begins before the bill is formally introduced. That is the case this year.
That process began in earnest when Governor Mike DeWine held a press conference on February 3rd to alert the public as to what programs, services, and initiatives he believes the state should fund and how the state will meet the $218 billion projected cost; $108 billion for fiscal year (FY) 2026 and $110 billion for FY 2027. By law, unlike the federal government, Ohio legislators must enact a balanced budget by the required legal deadline.
The house finance committee began its meetings this week; and more significantly, various house standing committees began to hear budget-related testimony from state agency leaders. Committee witnesses’ testimony usually provides an overview of the programs they operate and what the financial future is likely to hold based on data provided by the executive branch budget experts. These standing committees will also hear budget testimony from groups and individuals affected by the bill. Cutbacks in services, proposed tax increases and other funding mechanisms along with implications a particular proposal might have on the public are all part of this intense process.
Step 1—the Governor’s budget—Highlights
Following is a brief list of items that are included in Gov. DeWine’s proposal. Many of them have both direct and indirect effects on health. As with all proposals, the devil is in the details . Advocates and opponents will be looking closely at how these changes, as they are fleshed out in the budget, affect their constituents and their interests:
Sources: Glyn, E & Bischoff , L. (2/3/25) DeWine proposes tax increases for cigarettes, sports gambling, & a new child tax credit. Columbus Dispatch.
Gongwer-Ohio ( 2/5/25) Morning tip sheet. Gongwer News Service.
Trau, M (2/3/25) Ohio governor’s proposed budget includes public education funding, tax hikes on weed, tobacco, and betting. Ohio Capital Journal retrieved from https://ohiocapitaljournal.com/2025/02/03/ohio-governors-proposed-budget-includes-public-ed-funding-tax-hikes-on-weed-tobacco-and-betting/?emci=63ad48f4-6fe2-ef11-88f8-0022482a97e9&emdi=962cde2b-e7e2-ef11-88f8-0022482a97e9&ceid=144598.
Other committees begin to meet
As newly established committees start to meet several committee chairs are trying to clarify with house leadership which bills would go to what committee. Both the house and senate have health committees and Medicaid committees. House health committee chair, Rep. Jean Schmidt (R-Loveland) raised the question as to how Speaker Huffman (R-Lima) plans to handle the potential dual jurisdiction between the two committees. She is hoping that her committee hears a proposal considered by the previous general assembly that would create a license for prescribed pediatric extended care centers in a childcare center that provides nursing and therapy services to children with complex medical conditions. Medicaid covers the services. Neighboring states such as Kentucky already have these facilities, and proponents believe there is nothing that should hold Ohio back from establishing a similar option for Ohio parents. The previous bill was sponsored by Reps. Cindy Abrams (R-Harrison) and Rachel Baker (D-Cincinnati); however, Rep Schmidt worked closely with the two sponsors to help develop it. Sponsors agreed that they did not want to rush the process last year and did not expect the legislation would pass in 2024. They introduced it in late fall in hopes it could have some introductory hearings and help lawmakers be prepared to move the bill expeditiously through the 136th General Assembly.
Rep Schmidt also hopes that the health committee will hear a bill she plans to re-introduce this year to revise the laws governing third party payers’ coverage of breast cancer screenings and examinations. Rep. Sedrick Denson (D-Cincinnati) is a cosponsor of this legislation.
Chair of the house Medicaid committee, Rep. Jennifer Gross (R-West Chester) expressed her eagerness to collaborate with the chairs of multiple committees, including the health committee, which Rep. Gross also serves on.
(Source: Gongwer-Ohio (January 28, 2025) Health chair anticipates overlap with new Medicaid committee. Gongwer News Service).
Non-budget proposals—Bills, bills, bills—lots of them
(See the February Bill Tracker on the ANA-Ohio webpage for an overview of many of these bills)
Although the general assembly has been open for business for only a month The senate had 86 bills and the house 63 at the time this bill tracker was developed. One of the new bills of special interest to nurses is HB 52 sponsored by Rep. Kellie Deeter (R-Norwalk) that revises the law regarding the practice of certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs). Rep. Deeter, a freshman legislator, is a CRNA that had extensive experience representing the legislative interests of nurse anesthetists before being elected to the house in 2024. The bill was introduced February 4th and referred to the house health committee on February 5th. It has 21 co-sponsors including Reps. Rachel Baker (D-Cincinnati) a nurse researcher and Jennifer Gross (R-West Chester) an advanced practice registered nurse. The bill would establish that CRNAs practice in consultation with physicians, dentists, and podiatrists rather than under their supervision. That consultation occurs in accordance with policies established by the settings in which these individuals are practicing. Nursing care activities are delineated in the bill and include selecting, ordering, and administering treatments, drugs, and intravenous (IV) fluids for conditions related to the administration of anesthesia or the performance of clinical support functions. CRNAs may direct a registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, or respiratory therapist to provide supportive care that includes administering treatments, drugs, and IV fluids for conditions related to either the administration of anesthesia or the performance of clinical support functions . This authority does not extend outside of settings where the CRNA practices and does not give broader prescriptive authority to CRNAs.
Another bill to note is HB 12 sponsored by Rep. Jennifer Gross (R- West Chester) and DJ Swearingen (R-Huron). Like its predecessor HB 73 from the 135th general assembly, this bill addresses the prescribing, dispensing, and administration of drugs being prescribed for off label purposes. The previous bill passed both the house and senate, but the house refused to concur with the changes the senate made so the bill died at the close of the previous general assembly. This version continues to exclude nurses from provisions dealing with regulatory board disciplinary action immunity. The language reads as follows:
Occupational licensure boards shall not consider prescribing, dispensing, or administering a drug to a consenting patient, including for off-label use by a prescriber, pharmacist, hospital, inpatient facility, or pharmacy to be unlawful, unethical, unauthorized, or unprofessional conduct and shall not pursue professional discipline, fines, or other regulatory sanctions.
Another provision in the new bill called the free speech provision, states:
Health related licensing boards shall neither infringe on free speech nor pursue or threaten to pursue professional discipline or fines against a prescriber, pharmacist, or other licensed health care professional (would seemingly include nurses) for publicly or privately expressing an opinion regarding the safety, risks, benefits, or efficacy of a drug or other medical intervention because the opinion does not align with opinions of the board.
Governor DeWine line item vetoed similar language in HB 315 in the waning hours of the recently completed lame duck session of the 135th General Assembly His veto was not over-ridden.
Read the latest 136th General Assembly Bill Tracking as of February 11, 2025
View Tracker
Both the house and senate will start holding committee hearings the week of January 27th .
The senate wasted no time sending unmistakable signals as to what the next two years will look like legislatively. A long-awaited return of SB 83 from the previous general assembly, is the rewritten higher education reform bill , now SB 1. Sponsored by Sen. Jerry Cirino (R-Kirtland) this version restores a faculty strike ban that was stricken from the former bill by the House Higher Education Committee in the last session. The current version also bars spending on nearly all DEI initiatives. The bill is likely on a fast track to passage by the senate. Although not yet referred to a standing committee, it will likely go the higher education committee chaired by Sen. Kristina Roegner (R-Hudson) who predicted hearings would begin next week. According to Roegner, quick decisive action leaves no doubt about how seriously the senate takes higher education. A companion bill (HB 6) was introduced in the house by Rep. Tom Young (R-Dayton.) Supporters feel confident the legislation will pass although there has already been outspoken opposition.
Sen. Terry Johnson (R-Scioto County) a retired physician, introduced SB 7 that requires public and non-public chartered schools to provide instruction in the harmful effects of substance use. The age-appropriate instruction must be provided annually to all K-12 students. As with most bills, the devil is in the details, starting with reporting requirements, curricula content, recommended best-practices, the way the instruction is provided and more. School nurses may want to keep an eye on this bill.
Another bill SB 8 sponsored by Sen. Steve Huffman (R-Tipp City) prohibits a public employer from providing paid leave or compensation for a public employee to engage in certain union activities. Those activities include political activities performed by or on behalf of an employee organization advocating for the election or defeat of any political candidate. It also prohibits lobbying activity performed by or on behalf of an employee organization that involves attempting to influence the passage or defeat of federal or state legislation, local ordinance, or any ballot measure. An employee may use accrued personal
leave to engage in the identified political activities if the collective bargaining agreement allows. A collective bargaining agreement may not, however, include a provision that would negate the general prohibitions in the bill.
SB 11 a bipartisan bill sponsored by senators Louis Blessing (R-Colerain Twp.) and William DeMora (D-Columbus) would eliminate non-compete clauses in employment -related agreements. SB 25 sponsored by Sen Terry Johnson (R-Scioto County) a primary care physician, prohibits the provision of sun lamp tanning services to those under age 16. The general assembly has been limiting tanning services for minors by placing numerous restrictions and requirements on anyone under age 18. This bill is an outright prohibition for those age 16 and younger. Finally, SB 32 sponsored by senators Michele Reynolds (R-Canal Winchester) and Tim Schaffer (R-Lancaster) establishes the childcare credit program and includes an appropriation. The previous general assembly considered several pieces of legislation dealing with childcare costs and ultimately approved the inclusion of language creating the credit program in a “Christmas tree” bill, but in that bill the appropriation language was deleted. That omission is corrected in SB 32. A portion of childcare costs are to be shared equally by the employee, the employer and the Ohio Department of Children and Youth. Participation in the program is voluntary for parents and employers.
He (or she) who has the money has the power and he (or she) who has the power makes the rules.
HR 9 At the beginning of every new general assembly, both legislative chambers make their own procedural rules for the biennium. Consequently, the majority party, especially one with a super majority, can significantly minimize the role of the minority party when it comes to operational matters. The House of Representatives in the 135th General Assembly, because of a schism in the republican party, adopted rules that gave some consideration to the democrats. For example, democrat leadership had direct authority over their members’ committee assignments and their staff. Under Speaker Matt Huffman those considerations were eliminated. That means the minority party can only recommend which democrats should serve on the various standing committees. The actual appointment is made by the Speaker. The Speaker also manages all house staff regardless of party affiliation. This level of control harkens back to house rules adopted prior to the 135th General Assembly.
Procedural rules adopted by the previous general assembly that intended to provide more transparency in the law-making process were also eliminated. Gone from the current house are the requirements that:
· committee amendments had to be submitted by midnight the night before a committee meeting
· the House Rules & Reference Committee had to set the calendar no later than 24 hours before session
· floor amendments had to be submitted one or two hours before session.
In addition, the lobby directly outside the house chamber will be closed 30 minutes before and after a floor session unless the individual has floor privileges. Floor privileges are held by credentialed media, house members, their guests, and staff.
Minority leader, Rep. Allison Russo (D-Upper Arlington) said the procedural changes create less transparency for the public and “make it harder for the public to share values and perspectives.” Republicans counter that the rules are “fair and empower members to more effectively represent (their) constituents .”(1)
The house resolution containing the operational rules was opposed by all democrats and two republicans, former Speaker Jason Stevens (Kitts Hill) and D.J. Swearingen (Huron).
Sources: 1. Gongwer-Ohio (1/22/25) New house rules revert power to the speaker. Gongwer News Service.
2. Gongwer-Ohio (1/22/25) Higher Ed bill returns with DEI and faculty strike bans. Gongwer News Service.
House members introduced 18 bills to start this session.
Like the senate, a variety of topics became the subject of early house legislative proposals. Generally, the first 10 bills introduced during the beginning of a session signal a chamber’s priorities. If that holds true this year, the early house bills cover a variety of subjects from modifications of Ohio’s property law (HB 1), school bus safety (HB 3 ), child care affordability (HB 2 and HB 7), higher education (HB 6 the companion bill to SB 1), and reintroduction of HB 73 from the 135th General Assembly dealing with prescribing, dispensing, and administering off label drugs (HB12).
The new bill (HB 12) is sponsored once again by Rep. Jennifer Gross (R-West Chester) with D.J. Swearingen (R-Huron) a new cosponsor. The bill addresses some of the concerns raised by opponents of HB 73; however, the language is still somewhat ambiguous with respect to protecting the nurse from Board of Nursing disciplinary action. One of the bill’s 39 co-sponsors is newly elected CRNA Kellie Deeter (R-Norwalk). One democrat signed onto the bill, Rep. Cecil Thomas (North Avondale).
Personnel Updates
The senate republican caucus will name former Ohio Republican Party Chair Jane Timken (Stark County) to fill the senate seat formerly held by Kirk Schuring who died late last year. Timken served as party chair for four years before resigning to run for the U.S. Senate. That race was unsuccessful, but she remained a major figure in Ohio republican politics. She is described as a “proven conservative who brings a unique skillset of economic development, public policy and politics to the senate.” ( Source: Gongwer-Ohio (1/23/25) Ex-ORP chair Timken to fill senate vacancy. Gongwer News Service) Her formal election by the majority caucus will take place at the January 29th senate session.
Joint Medicaid Oversight Committee (JMOC)
The Joint Medicaid Oversight Committee (JMOC) was created by Senate Bill 206 of the 130th Ohio General Assembly. The committee consists of five state senators and five state representatives. The primary function of the JMOC is to provide continuing oversight of all facets of the state's Medicaid program. The committee oversees Medicaid compliance with legislative intent, evaluates legislation for long-term impact on Medicaid, and assists in limiting the rate of spending growth, while improving quality of care and health outcomes for individuals enrolled in the state's Medicaid program.
JMOC Members for the 136th General Assembly include:
House members:
Senate Members:
Senate :
The senate leadership established 21 standing committees for the 136th general assembly. The ratio of republicans to democrats is generally representative of the overall senate ratio of Rs to Ds (roughly 72- 27% ). The committees range in size from 6 to 14 members with the finance committee being the largest. The size of a committee can often signal how much work is expected to come its way. This session the public utilities committee has 11 members, which is consistent with the expected focus of both chambers predicted to be on energy issues. Most of the committees have six to seven members.
The health committee is once again chaired by physician and Senator Steve Huffman (Tipp City). Vice chair is another physician Senator Terry Johnson (Scioto County). The ranking minority member is newly elected Senator Beth Liston (Dublin), a former state representative , and also a physician. Other members include senators Susan Manchester (R-Waynesfield ) (a former house member), Kristina Roegner (R-Hudson), Mark Romanchuk (R-Ontario), and Catherine Ingram (D-Cincinnati).
Another committee that likely will have a large impact on healthcare issues is the Medicaid committee chaired by Senator Mark Romanchuk. The vice chair is Senator Steve Huffman, and the ranking minority member is Senator Beth Liston. Rounding out the committee are senators Catherine Ingram (D) and Steve Wilson (R-Maineville) with Wilson being the only member who is not also on the health committee.
As always, the finance committee is a major focus of attention because of the important role financial considerations play in policy making. That committee will be chaired by Senator Jerry Cirino (Lake County) who sponsored the controversial higher education reform bill (SB 83) in the previous general assembly. The vice chair is Senator Brian Chavez (Marietta) and the ranking minority member is Senator Paula Hicks-Hudson (Toledo). The republican members include senators Louis Blessing (Cincinnati), Andrew Brenner (Delaware), George Lang (West Chester), Susan Manchester, Sandra O’Brien (Ashtabula), Thomas Patton ( Strongsville ), Mark Romanchuk, and Shane Wilkin (Hillsboro ). The democrats are senators Hearcel Craig (Columbus) and Catherine Ingram.
House:
The house cut the number of its standing committees to 27. To do that, Speaker Matt Huffman eliminated all the finance committee subcommittees and changed the focus for others. According to Huffman, his goal was to ensure house members serve on no more than four committees. Most of the committees have nine republicans and four democrats, and like the senate, those numbers are roughly consistent with the percentage of republicans to democrats in the entire chamber. Only the finance committee with 31 members and the energy committee with 24 members are larger.
Eight to ten of the non-finance standing committees will be having hearings about the budget on subject matters related to the committee’s overall area of focus. For example, a large part of budget testimony will go through the new House Medicaid Committee chaired by APRN Rep. Jennifer Gross (West Chester). The committee vice chair is Rep. Tim Barhorst (Fort Loramie) and the ranking minority member is Rep. Rachel Baker (Cincinnati). The committee members are representatives Meredith Craig (R-Plain Twp.) a newcomer, Ron Ferguson (R-Wintersville), newcomer Derrick Hall (D-Akron), Brian Lampton (R-Beavercreek), newcomer Crystal Lett (D-Hilliard), newcomer Diane Mullins, (R-Hamilton), Scott Oeslager (R-North Canton), Bill Roemer, (R-Richfield), Anita Somani (D-Dublin) a physician, and former speaker Jason Stephens (Kitts Hill).
The health committee will be chaired by Rep. Jean Schmidt (Loveland). The vice chair is newcomer Rep. Kellie Deeter a CRNA from Norwalk and the ranking minority member is Rep. Anita Somani. Members are representatives Rachel Baker, Tim Barhorst, newcomer Karen Brownlee (D-Symmes Twp.), Meredith Craig (R), Michele Grim (D-Toledo) , Jennifer Gross (R), Angela King (R-Celina ), Melanie Miller (R-Ashland), Brian Stewart (R-Ashville), and Angela White (R-Kettering).
The finance committee is the largest committee of the house. The chair is Rep. Brian Stewart vice chair is Rep. Mike Dovilla (Berea) and the ranking minority member is Rep. Bride Rose Sweeney (Westlake). Members include representatives Cindy Abrams (R-Harrison), Rachel Baker (D), Adam Bird (R-Richmond), Jamie Callender (R-Concord), newcomer Chris Glassburn (D-North Olmsted), Michele Grim (D), Thomas Hall (R-Madison Twp), James Hoops (R-Napolean), Dani Isaacsohn (D-Cincinnati), Dontavius Jarrells (D-Columbus), Marilyn John (R-Richland County) Terry Johnson (R-Scioto County), Don Jones (R-Freeport), Gayle Manning (R-N. Ridgeville), Beryl Piccolantonio (D-Gahanna), Phil Plummer (R-Dayton) Sharon Ray (R-Wadsworth), Kevin Ritter (R- Marietta) a newcomer; Phillip Robinson (D-Solon) a newcomer, Bill Roemer (R-Richfield), Jean Schmidt (R), Veronica Sims (D-Akron), Jim Thomas (R-Jackson Twp), Daniel Troy (D-Willowick), Angela White (R), Josh Williams (R-Sylvania Twp), Benard Willis (R-Springfield), and Tom Young (R-Washington Twp).
Former Speaker of the House Rep. Jason Stephens was not named chair or vice chair of any committee. As is customary, no members of the house leadership team were named to head any committee (other than the Rules and Reference Committee, which is typically made up largely of members of the chamber’s republican and democrat leadership teams).
Sources: Gongwer-Ohio (1/17/25) House democrats announce committee assignments. Gongwer News Service.
Gongwer-Ohio ( 1/14/25) Speaker reduces committees, names Stewart finance chair. Gongwer News Service.
Gongwer-Ohio (1/14/25) House Committees for 2025-2026. Gongwer News Service.
Gongwer-Ohio (1/13/25) Senate committees for 2025-2026. Gongwer News Service.
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The 136th General Assembly gets underway—Who are the leaders? One of the first things newly sworn-in legislators in both the Ohio Senate and House of Representatives do is to formally elect their leadership teams. These individuals, particularly the senate president and speaker of the house, make many key decisions that affect the operation of the general assembly, particularly when it comes to processes and priorities.
In the previous general assembly, the early schism within the house republican majority over who would wield the speaker’s gavel continued throughout the two-year session and affected legislative “productivity”. That same discord is not evident in the 136th general assembly. It is generally conceded that the newly elected speaker of the house, Rep. Matt Huffman (R-Lima) holds unprecedented power on Capital Square. Formerly the senate president, Huffman is the first outgoing president to leave the senate floor and walk directly into the house as the new speaker. Because of his likely broad influence over the state’s legislative policy making, it is important to have some idea as to who Huffman is and what he is likely to prioritize in the next two years.
Janice Lanier JD RN Liaison Public Policy Committee
The Making of a Christmas Tree
HB 315 as introduced
In a marathon final legislative session of the 135th General Assembly, a 400-page amendment was added to HB 315 by a conference committee. The original bill dealing with various aspects of township law was introduced in November 2023, passed the house in late June during an earlier marathon session that preceded the lengthy pre-election summer recess. The bill was approximately 122 pages long.
HB 315 as enacted
The bill eventually passed the senate on December 11th, but the house refused to concur with the senate changes. A conference committee was named consisting of six legislators: senators Rob McColley (R-Napoleon), Nathan Manning (R-North Ridgeville), Nickie Antonio (D-Lakewood) and representatives DJ Swearingen R-Huron, Chair), Bill Seitz (R-Cincinnati), and Bride Rose Sweeney (D-Westlake). Early in the morning of December 19th the committee produced its lengthy report.
Lame Duck, Log Rolling & Christmas Trees
Once the results of the November General Election were in, eyes turned to what’s going to happen when the newly elected lawmakers take office in January. That’s true for Congress in Washington and for the state legislature in most states. However, before the members of the new General Assembly (the 136th) are sworn in, the outgoing members have until the end of 2024 to finish up their pending business. The rush to close out the current general assembly has led to a flurry of activity that is not over yet. Keeping track of all the developments is not for the faint of heart.
Many bills that have been lingering in various standing committees in both the house and senate face a deadline. If they do not complete the legislative process before the house and senate adjourn sine die, the bills must be reintroduced and begin the entire process anew.
HELP PROTECT OHIO PATIENTS AND PROVIDERS
Earlier this year the ANA-Ohio Board of Directors voted to oppose HB 73. ANA-Ohio offered testimony explaining nursing's concerns before the Senate Health Committee. While the bill's sponsor Rep. Jennifer Gross (R-West Chester) responded to some of nursing's concerns, issues remain with respect to the overall language in the bill. The Senate Health Committee will hold another hearing on the bill Wednesday, December 11th. Following is a message provided by the Ohio Hospital Association that you are encouraged to use when communicating with members of the health committee and your state senator urging them not to take action on this bill.
Tell Your Ohio State Senator and members of the Senate Health Committee to Stop House Bill 73
Sub. HB 73 creates a dangerous framework requiring the dispensing and administering of drugs to hospitalized patients, without the ability of health care providers to perform their role in a patient's clinical care.
Sub. House Bill 73 also:
Health Committee members: Senators:
Stephen Huffman, Chair shuffman@ohiosenate.gov
Terry Johnson, Vice Chair johnson@ohiosenate.gov
Nickie Antonio, Ranking Member antonio@ohiosenate.gov
Bob Hackett hackett@ohiosenate.gov
Catherine Ingram ingram@ohiosenate.gov
Kristina Roegner roegner@ohiosenate.gov
Mark Romanchuk romanchuk@ohiosenate.gov
Also, take action NOW to contact YOUR Ohio Senator!
email-senator's last name@ohiosenate.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Ohio Study on Nurses’ Voting Behaviors Helps Shape Future Actions by Nursing Organizations
Ohio – [December 2024] – Nurse researchers from northeast Ohio released the results of their groundbreaking, multi-year study about voting behavior of licensed nurses in Ohio. “Influence begins at the ballot box,” said the study’s lead researcher, Ruth E. Ludwick. PhD, RN-BC, APRN-CNS, FAAN of the Department of Nursing, Kent State University. “My colleagues and I wanted to compare voting activity and party affiliation of licensed practical nurses (LPNs), registered nurses (RNs) and advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) to help us find ways to increase nurses’ involvement in this fundamental component of civic engagement—voting.”
Health care is a highly regulated industry, with many of those laws and rules coming from federal and state lawmakers. The policies they enact affect every aspect of nurses’ practice. Despite the important role policymakers play, nurses continue to be under-represented in board rooms and hearing rooms.
The study found the number of Ohio licensed nurses who are registered to vote and cast a ballot was higher than the overall population for general elections conducted between 2020-2023. However, given the importance of public policy decisions to nurses’ both professionally and personally, one would expect the percentages to be higher. “Around 71% of licensed nurses are registered to vote; however, that means one in four nurses are not,” said Dr. Ludwick.
“Clearly, there is more work to be done to increase nurses’ awareness of the role policymakers play in their practices and to help them develop the skills they need to be more influential in crafting the actual policies being put forth,” says ANA-Ohio Executive Director Tiffany Bukoffsky, MHA, BSN, RN. Voting is the first step in the process. “Nursing professional organizations are key to providing the accessible and realistic opportunities nurses need to become more effective policy influencers and voters. This study is a starting point. But it cannot end here”.
Professional nursing organizations are a vital part of the envisioned change. ANA-Ohio, a newly formed state constituent association of the American Nurses Association has taken
that responsibility seriously. “During its relatively short existence, ANA-Ohio conceived and hosted the first nurse led public policy hackathon at Miami University where nurses and non-nurses from across the state came together to develop innovative policy-based solutions to problems they encounter in their practice settings”, Bukoffsky added. Nineteen teams presented their proposals to a panel of judges, some of whom were legislators who then encouraged them to bring their ideas to the General Assembly. Recently, during the ANA-Ohio Annual Meeting, the Jeri Milstead Public Policy Symposium focused on innovations that are or will change the way nurses provide care to their patients. “From the Sky to the Statehouse” explored the public policy challenges that both foster and impede change.
The next step in preparing nurses to take on a more visible and impactful role in policy making is ANA-Ohio’s 2025 Nurse Policy Influencers Bootcamp beginning in February. The first cohort of participants will spend several months learning the ins and outs of policy making and experience first-hand how the process actually functions. The bootcamp graduates will help mentor future boot campers and help build the sustainable skills and insights needed to move from observer to doer.
The data from the study on nurses’ voting behaviors will help inform the strategies ANA-Ohio develops in conjunction with other nursing organizations to not only convince more nurses to register to vote and actually vote, but also to have a more visible and influential presence at the policy table.
About American Nurses Association-Ohio:
The American Nurses Association – Ohio (ANA-Ohio) is the trusted professional registered nurses’ association that is dedicated to promoting excellence in nursing practice, fostering high standards of nursing care, and advocating for the rights and interests of nurses across Ohio. Through education, advocacy, leadership, resources, and support, ANA-Ohio aims to empower nurses to improve health care.
Media Contact:
Tiffany Bukoffsky, Executive Director, ANA-Ohio, director@ana-ohio.org
View Press Release in PDF Format
Lame Duck session underway
HB 285, the nurse staffing ratio bill, introduced in October 2023, had its second hearing in the House Health Provider Services Committee on November 19th. The committee heard proponent and opponent testimony. Seven proponents, most of them representing the Ohio Nurses and Health Professionals Association, testified before the committee; seventy-one submitted written proponent testimony and three submitted written opponent testimony. Opponents included the Ohio Chamber of Commerce; joint testimony from the Ohio Hospital Association (OHA), the Ohio Children’s Hospital Association, the Chamber of Commerce, and the Ohio Business Roundtable; and the Christ Hospital’s Health Network.
2501 Jolly Rd Ste 110 | Okemos, MI 48864 info@ana-ohio.org
