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Huffman
Applauds Passage of STI Treatment Bill
Ohio Joins Majority of States in Passage of Bill
COLUMBUS—The Ohio House of Representatives today passed House Bill 124,
sponsored by State Representatives Terry Johnson (R-McDermott) and
Steve Huffman (R-Tipp City). HB 124 authorizes a physician,
advanced practice registered nurse, or physician assistant to prescribe
or personally furnish a drug for a sexual partner of a patient
diagnosed with chlamydia, gonorrhea, or trichomoniasis, without
examining the sexual partner.
Representative Johnson and Representative Huffman are both licensed
physicians in addition to their capacities as state representatives,
the first time in the history of the Ohio General Assembly that this
has ever occurred. The bill also represents the first piece of
legislation sponsored by two physicians serving in the Ohio General
Assembly.
“House Bill 124 is a historic piece of legislation for Ohio’s public
health,” said Huffman. “We are moving forward to be one of the final
states to implement Expedited Partner Therapy. I am so thankful to have
worked with my colleague, Representative Terry Johnson, on this bill,
and thank my colleagues in the House for their support.”
“This bill is indeed historic,” said Johnson. “It is the first
time in the Ohio General Assembly that two physicians have joint
sponsored a bill. House Bill 124 will have a positive impact on Ohio’s
public health and I am honored to be associated with such a fine
bipartisan team as we have supporting this legislation.”
The bill specifies that the medical professional listed above may
prescribe or personally furnish a drug for not more than two sexual
partners of the patient, and authorizes a pharmacist to dispense a drug
pursuant to a prescription issued in accordance with the bill. It also
grants immunity from civil liability, criminal prosecution or
professional discipline to the medical professionals if they have acted
in good faith and in accordance with the bill.
HB 124 focuses on the practice of Expedited Partner Therapy (EPT) – the
clinical practice of providing prescription antibiotics to partners of
a patient who was been examined and diagnosed with an STI. Ohio is one
of only four states to prohibit EPT. According to the Ohio Department
of Health, for every 100,000 people in Ohio, 460 individuals have
Chlamydia and 144 individuals have Gonorrhea. The legislation is
designed to reduce the number of STI cases and lead to a healthier
population in Ohio.
House Bill 124 now moves on to the Ohio Senate for further
consideration.
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