OOA Backs Legislative Candidates through Contributions and Attending Fundraising Events

[August 26, 2024]

                    
Over the summer, the Ohio Osteopathic Political Action Committee (OOPAC) issued contributions to candidates for the Ohio General Assembly and OOA members represented the profession at legislative events.

All totaled, OOPAC contributed $20,500 to 37 candidates for Ohio House and Ohio Senate seats. All 99 seats in the Ohio House are up for election in November. State representatives are elected for a two-year term. In the Ohio Senate, 16 of the 33 seats are on the ballot. State senators are elected for a four-year term. Election day is November 5, though early voting begins October 8.

Legislators are currently on summer recess and on the campaign trail. Barring an emergency, they will not return to action until after the election. At that time, they will close out the current legislative term with a lame duck session. Any bills not enacted before the end of the year will need to be reintroduced and restart the legislative process in the 136th General Assembly.

The summer recess is also fundraising season for candidates. That means golf outings and receptions—and an opportunity to chat directly and informally with lawmakers involved with health care legislation and policy. Thank you to OOA Past President Paul T. Scheatzle, DO, who attended a reception with State Rep. Sharon Ray (R-Wadsworth), and osteopathic medical students Bailey Hall, Garrett Woodfin, James Applegate, Austin Brown, Noah Le, who participated in an event hosted by State Sen. Stephanie Kunze (R-Dublin). The students are all second-year at HCOM Dublin campus. OOA Executive Director Heidi Weber also attended several events to represent the profession.

OOPAC’s purpose is to support state legislators, on either side of the political aisle, for the advancement of the osteopathic profession and to shape health care policy by educating legislators about issues that impact physicians, patients, and communities.