DeWine veto leaves health care issue dangling
A dispute over COLUMBUS — how to address health care price transparency and “surprise medical billing” will continue at the Ohio Statehouse in the fall.
Gov. Mike DeWine vetoed provisions inserted into the state budget bill by state Rep. Jim Butler, R-Oakwood, but pledged to work on the issues.
“Frankly, transparency is very important but it’s got to work, it’s got to be workable,” DeWine said. He issued an executive order this week, directing state agencies to work on rules to promote transparency and address surprise billing. “This is not something we’re going to walk away from.”
Butler has long advocated for requiring hospitals and other providers give patients cost estimates before rendering non-emergency care and he has pushed policies to end “surprise billing” — which happens when patients are at an in-network health care facility but unknowingly receive services from an out-of-network provider working at the facility.
When insurance companies and providers can’t agree on the right price, this can leave patients stuck with the difference between what an insurance company pays and what a provider bills — which is sometimes thousands of dollars.
Butler called the vetoes a win for special interests, especially the hospital industry, and a mistake for DeWine. “Absolutely I think he was wrong. I think his vetoes were a huge loss for the people of Ohio,” he said.
State Sen. Steve Huffman, R-Tipp City, who is an emergency-room physician, has been a vocal critic of Butler’s approach and offered different policy changes that ultimately weren’t included in the state budget bill. Huffman said he plans to introduce new legislation in the fall.
“Everyone agrees those are two large issues, not only in Ohio but nationwide, that need to be addressed,” Huffman said.
The Ohio Hospital Association issued a statement that said in part: “We support reasonable price transparency that equips consumers with meaningful information and with which the provider community can comply. Ohio hospitals remain committed to protecting patients from surprise bills and support solutions that continue to ensure access to care and preserve the role of private negotiation.”