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In the Montgomery County Medical Society

Opposition to Ohio SB 60 Needs Your Voice

Provided by MCMS Administration

The Ohio State Medical Association has been opposing SB 60 that would establish licensure by the State Medical Board for a new allied practitioner: certified mental health assistants (CMHAs). The legislation does not outline any education and training requirements for this new practitioner and would give them prescriptive authority. The Ohio Senate is poised to vote on this legislation in the coming weeks and your help is needed! Please follow the instructions to send a letter to your Senator and urge them NOT to support SB 60. It will only take a few moments of your time, and it is critical that your legislators hear from you that while Ohio physicians understand and share the common goal of addressing the increased need for mental health care services across the state – this proposal is NOT the solution! This legislation is sponsored by Sen. Theresa Gavarone (R-Bowling Green) and supported by Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED). You can also contact the sponsor, Sen. Gavarone, as well as the members of the Senate Workforce and Higher Education Committee (which is the committee currently debating the bill) at the office numbers below and urge them to oppose SB 60.  Sen. Theresa Gavarone (614) 466-8060  Sen. Jerry Cirino Chair, Senate Workforce and Higher Education Committee(614) 644-7718  Sen. Michael Rulli Vice Chair, Senate Workforce and Higher Education Committee(614) 466-8285  Sen. Catherine Ingram Ranking Member, Senate Workforce and Higher Education Committee(614) 466-5980  Sen. Bill Reineke Member, Senate Workforce and Higher Education Committee(614) 466-8049  Sen. Michele Reynolds Member, Senate Workforce and Higher Education Committee(614) 466-8064