Advocacy News

Election Preview: Voters Head to the Polls on Tuesday, March 19
03/18/2024

Election Preview: Voters Head to the Polls on Tuesday, March 19

On March 19, Ohioans will once again go to the polls to vote on a large amount of local, statewide and national issues. There will be 52 voting primaries (32 GOP, 20 Democrat) on Tuesday between candidates of the Ohio House and Ohio Senate alone. Learn more about key statewide and local races with our election preview.

Congressman Brad Wenstrup, DPM, Announces Retirement
11/10/2023

Congressman Brad Wenstrup, DPM, Announces Retirement

Longtime Cincinnati-area congressman Brad Wenstrup, DPM, announced November 9 that he will be retiring from Congress at the conclusion of his term. Dr. Wenstrup, a longtime OHFAMA member and the only podiatric physician and surgeon serving in Congress, was first elected in 2012.

State Medical Board Advances Podiatry Rules
11/09/2023

State Medical Board Advances Podiatry Rules

The State Medical Board of Ohio (SMBO) unanimously voted to advance two important administrative rules relating to the podiatry scope of practice to the Common Sense Initiative as part of a multi-step review process. SMBO proposed no changes to rules that define foot and outline requirements for podiatrists to perform surgery on the ankle joint.

State Medical Board Seeks Comments on Podiatry Rules
10/26/2023

State Medical Board Seeks Comments on Podiatry Rules

The State Medical Board of Ohio (SMBO) on October 16 opened a public comment period on two important administrative rules relating to the podiatry scope of practice. The rules define foot and outlines requirements for podiatrists to perform surgery on the ankle joint.

CGS Reconsiders Local Coverage Determination on Skin Substitutes
09/28/2023

CGS Reconsiders Local Coverage Determination on Skin Substitutes

A CGS Local Coverage Determination (LCD) that would have placed new limits on the use of skin substitutes for the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers and venous leg ulcers will not be implemented October 1. CMS announced on September 28 that a new proposed LCD will be published for comment and presented in an open meeting in the near future.

Tuition to Drop 30% for Ohioans Attending KSUCPM
09/20/2023

Tuition to Drop 30% for Ohioans Attending KSUCPM

Ohio students enrolled at Kent State University College of Podiatric Medicine (KSUCPM) will see a $13,866 decrease in tuition effective the 2024 spring semester. The change is a result of the state of Ohio providing $6.8 million in state funding through the 2024-25 state budget.

CGS Local Coverage Determination Places New Limits on Use of Skin Substitutes
08/29/2023

CGS Local Coverage Determination Places New Limits on Use of Skin Substitutes

A CGS Local Coverage Determination (LCD) will place new limits on the use of skin substitutes for the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers and venous leg ulcers. The LCD, which becomes effective September 17, 2023, states “greater than four applications of a skin substitute graft or cellular and/or tissue-based products (CTP) within the episode of skin replacement surgery (defined as 12 weeks from the first application of a skin substitute graft or CTP)” are “not medically reasonable and necessary.”

08/02/2023

Column: State Budget Victory Years in the Making

It took some new approaches, the right political winds, and some perseverance to secure State Share of Instruction funding for Kent State University College of Podiatric Medicine, explains OHFAMA Executive Director Mike Mathy.

07/19/2023

Ohio’s Biennium Budget Impacts State Medical Board of Ohio

Ohio’s biennium budget includes changes that will impact State Medical Board of Ohio (SMBO) licensees. Below is a summary of the law changes that become effective October 3, 2023.

07/05/2023

State Budget Boosts Medicaid Reimbursement Rates, Provides KSUCPM Funding

New funding for Kent State College of Podiatric Medicine and a 5% increase in Medicaid reimbursement rates for podiatrists are highlights of the state budget signed into law July 3 by Ohio Governor Mike DeWine.

06/07/2023

Senate Budget Includes KSUCPM Funding

The Ohio Senate’s version of the state budget bill released June 6 includes $3.4 million each fiscal year in State Share of Instruction funding for Kent State University College of Podiatric Medicine. If adopted, KSUCPM estimates Ohio’s in-state graduates would earn their degrees with a nearly 30% decrease in student debt.

05/11/2023

Department of Medicaid Budget Includes Reimbursement Increase for Podiatrists

The Ohio Department of Medicaid (ODM) budget includes a 5% increase in the Medicaid reimbursement rates for podiatrists.

05/27/2021

Governor Signs COVID-19 Vaccine Bill into Law

A bill that provides Ohio podiatrists with statutory authority to administer the COVID-19 vaccine has been signed into law.

12/11/2020

Ohio Flu Shot Bill Signed into Law

An Ohio bill that enables podiatrists in Ohio to administer the influenza vaccine to individuals seven-years-old or older was recently signed into law by Governor Mike DeWine.