|
| Hot Issues |
| Publications |
| Advocacy Center |
| Research & Data |
| Education |
| News Media Center |
| Find a Hospital Job |
| Membership |
| Corporate Partners |
| Home |
Search:
 |
Monday,
December 20, 2004
The Ohio Board of Nursing (OBN) made a change to its online licensure verification Web site, switching the site to a new address at https://license.ohio.gov/lookup/default.asp. Hospital associates should be aware of the new address and change any shortcuts or bookmarks to this site.
OBN announced the Ohio eLicense Web site this summer, to provide more timely and helpful information about nursing licensees, including original date of licensure, licensure and application statuses, disciplinary actions and how the individual was originally licensed. (Jean Scholz, jeans@ohanet.org)
Tuesday, December 21, 2004
OHA’s political action committee (PAC), Friends of Ohio Hospitals, thanks its contributors for helping make 2004 the best fundraising year in the PAC’s history. The PAC raised over $130,000 to date, about 93 percent of its overall goal. One hundred percent of contributions to Friends of Ohio Hospitals are used directly to support political candidates who understand the needs of Ohio hospitals and support OHA's advocacy agenda. This year’s funds also supported the PAC’s endorsed candidates for Ohio Supreme Court.
The PAC will kick off next year’s campaign in February. Fundraising goals are based on state level needs, and take into consideration input from the American Hospital Association on dollars needed for federal issues and candidates. More information about the PAC is available at www.friendsofohiohospitals.org/. (Bridget Gargan, bridgetg@ohanet.org)
Testimony Touts Damage Caps
Charged with studying Ohio’s medical malpractice insurance crisis, the
Ohio Medical Malpractice Commission met last week to hear additional
testimony. Jose Montemayor, the commissioner of insurance for Texas,
testified about the impact of the state’s non-economic damage caps on
the professional liability environment. Based on the results of these
limits in Texas, Montemayor stated that applying non-economic caps to
recent closed claims would have reduced payments by 20 percent and
decreased premiums by 12 percent. The caps in Texas are relatively
similar to those recently enacted in Ohio.
The commission also heard testimony on patient compensation funds from Brian Engel, senior vice president of Benfield, an independent reinsurance intermediary. Engel said reinsurance companies dislike patient compensation funds and choose not to do business with them. The commission will continue to study the effects of enacted tort reform and of establishing a patient compensation fund. (Rick Sites, ricks@ohanet.org)
Wednesday,
December 22, 2004
On Dec. 17 the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) announced the expansion of priority groups recommended to receive influenza vaccine this flu season. Effective Jan. 3, in areas where state and local health authorities determine vaccine supplies to be adequate to meet demand, the priority groups will be extended to include: adults age 50-64 and out-of-home caregivers and household contacts of persons in high-risk groups. ACIP also passed a resolution for the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program, expanding it to include VFC-eligible children who are household contacts of persons in high-risk groups effective immediately. For more information on the flu season visit www.cdc.gov/flu or www.ohanet.org/flu. (Carol Jacobson carolj@ohanet.org)
Thursday,
December 16, 2004
OHA offices closed due to inclement weather.
Friday,
December 17, 2004
OHA offices closed for the holidays.