Proposed law will ensure medical freedom and discourage interference in the doctor-patient relationship.
*** FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ***
Columbus, OH: The Franklin County Libertarian Party, a county affiliate of the Libertarian Party of Ohio, announced that the Executive Committee has endorsed House Bill 73, “Enact Dave and Angie Patient and Health Provider Protection Act” sponsored by Representative Jennifer Gross and Representative Mike Loychik.
While it is concerning that such a law would even be needed, the clear interference from federal and state authorities, illegal pressure placed on pharmacists and social stigma invented around safe and effective medicines has found such urgency.
As passed by the Ohio Assembly the new law would place appropriate restrictions on the reach and influence of state government authorities and protect health providers ability to prescribe on/off label medication and protects their free medical speech without fear of retribution. Further, provide protection for pharmacy/pharmacists’ ability to fill a prescription without fear of retribution and a patient’s right to access treatment.
Additionally, the new law would protect a patient from being withheld nutrition or their prescribed daily medications while hospitalized because they decline to consent to a protocol treatment.
While this state law is very similar to federal statute already in place, our shared experience through the past several years, abuses from health authorities and clear violations of civil liberties without consequence, reinforcement of these basic protections seem prudent.
House Bill 73 has been passed by the Ohio House of Representatives and is waiting to be addressed by the Ohio Senate.
We strongly encourage our state senators to pick up this urgent legislation and move forward to provide all Ohioans the certainty they deserve in the chain of trust from their physician to their pharmacist and home to be well.
About Franklin County Libertarians: The Franklin County Libertarian Party of Ohio is a county political party and affiliate of the Libertarian Party of Ohio. FCLPO has monthly business meetings of the Executive Committee every third Tuesday at 7pm, at the LPO Office, 6230 Busch Blvd, Suite 102, Columbus. Monthly socials are also hosted at various restaurants and venues across and around Franklin County on dates that are announced through the website, fclpo.org, monthly newsletter and Facebook page.
