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The Catholic Conference of Ohio submitted interested party testimony on HB 795, urging the House Medicaid Committee not to reverse the years-long policy of supporting family caregivers, and instead to seek targeted, proportional means to address bad actors committing fraud and abuse. CCO wrote, "Many family members forego other employment opportunities and struggle to make ends meet as they selflessly work to sustain the lives of their loved ones in need of this [life-sustaining] assistance. This is a clear, pro-family policy for those who need it most. [Family members] receiving payments for essential care should not lose the small benefits they receive because of bad actors who must be held accountable."
UPDATE: HB 795 has been amended to remove the ban on family members' ability to be paid by Medicaid for providing personal care services to relatives. We are grateful for this revision.
Read the full testimony >
The Catholic Conference of Ohio testified in front of the Senate Health Committee in support of House Bill 324 (R-A. Mathews | R-Craig), the Patient Protection Act. The bill previously passed the House. CCO stated, "HB 324 employs reasonable safeguards on the dispensing of medications known to cause serious adverse effects by requiring that patients be assessed and fully informed as to the associated risks in order to be free to consent to a recommended course of treatment." Due regard for the dignity of human life and the integral good of each person warrants more prudent and humane measures when dispensing pharmaceuticals with a higher rate of adverse effects.
Catholic Conference of Ohio-supported House Bill 347 (R-Odioso | R-Williams) to enact the Share the Health and Empower With Informed Notices (SHE WINS) Act regarding abortion informed consent passed the Ohio House of Representatives. HB 347 requires a physician to meet with a woman at least 24 hours before an abortion and provide information on alternatives, the availability of medical assistance benefits that may be available for prenatal, birth, and postpartum care, and ensures that she is fully informed about the nature of the procedure, any associated risks, and receives information on the status of any risks associated with her pregnancy. The bill now goes to the Ohio Senate for consideration.
The Catholic Conference of Ohio testified in support of House Bill 347 (R-Odioso | R-Williams) to enact the Share the Health and Empower With Informed Notices (SHE WINS) Act regarding abortion informed consent. The Catholic Church accompanies pregnant women in need through authentic friendship and ongoing support. "Community-based efforts such as Walking with Moms in Need connect women with resources and assistance, helping them to simultaneously welcome their children and achieve their goals,” testified CCO. The testimony continued, "HB 347 ensures women are informed of alternatives, the availability of medical assistance benefits that may be available for prenatal, birth, and postpartum care, and ensures that she is fully informed about the nature of the procedure, any associated risks, and receives information on the status of any risks associated with her pregnancy. … We urge the Committee to support women by ensuring that they are liberated from the freedom-limiting coercion of difficult circumstances and unsupportive or despairing voices, and instead empowered with knowledge that elicits hope for their future and that of their children."
Catholic Conference of Ohio Informational Flyer (Updated 10/25)
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