(The Center Square) – Ohio lawmakers worked early into Thursday morning on the last day of the two-year legislative session to pass several bills ranging from medical price transparency to allowing landowners to shoot feral hogs.
All the bills are waiting for is a signature from Gov. Mike DeWine to become new state laws.
If signed, House Bill 173 would require medical facilities to post real prices for patients rather than estimates.
It comes as Ohio State University’s Wexner Medical Center announced Thursday its first transparent health care pricing agreement with Sidecar Health that is expected to tell patients what their care will cost before they walk in the door.
Sidecar members will no longer be subject to prior authorizations, certain claim editing and medical management programs.
“Our primary focus is ensuring that we provide the very best care to every patient, every time, so we’re committed to advancing health care through innovation, including how we approach health care costs,” said Dr. John J. Warner, CEO of The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and executive vice president at Ohio State.
Lawmakers also passed a bill that allows landowners to kill feral hogs without a license, but the Ohio Department of Natural Resources must be notified within 24 hours.
“Feral swine are a nuisance to landowners around the nation and are a threat to Ohio’s livestock industry,” said Rep. Bob Peterson, R-Sabina.
Sexual extortion would also become a felony in the state if signed by DeWine. HB531 provides immunity to victims for sending sexual images and allows for a 10-year increased sentence if the crime leads to bodily harm or death. It would also allow a parent or guardian to have access to a deceased minor’s phone within 30 days.
Lawmakers also passed bills for drone operation and a bill that would allow those who lose their driver’s license for some nondriving offenses to keep it.