December 14, 2005
RAUSSEN BILL PASSES OUT OF HEALTH COMMITTEE
Columbus- House Bill 197, sponsored by State Representative Jim Raussen (R, Springdale), passed the Ohio House Health Committee by a vote of 19-1 earlier today. The legislation will require all of Ohio's hospitals to report data on 78 scientifically-based quality measures developed by nationally recognized healthcare quality organizations, including measures related to hospital-acquired infections. Hospitals will also be required to report cost information about the top inpatient and outpatient procedures they perform to the Ohio Department of Health. The legislation requires the information to be made available to consumers through the department's internet website which will allow consumers to search the data based on procedure, hospital, or geographic region of the state.
"I am pleased that we were able to move this legislation forward today," Raussen said. "House Bill 197 will make a lot of meaningful information available to Ohio consumers as they make healthcare decisions. The compromise bill that passed out of committee reflects the many, many discussions I have had with consumer groups, healthcare providers, hospitals, and employers over the past 17 months."
The legislation also creates the Hospital Performance Measures Advisory Council, and several subgroups within the council to make recommendations about how reporting can be expanded in the future. One such subgroup will specifically deal with the reporting of infections.
House Bill 197 is expected to receive consideration by the Ohio House of Representatives early next year before moving on to the Senate.
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Contact:
Hannah Boyd, (614) 466-8120
Legislative Aide
Office of Representative Jim Raussen
Ohio House of Representatives
77 South High St.
Columbus, OH 43215
(614) 644-9494 - Fax
 Consumers Union Offices: Communications Office, New York - Washington Office West Coast Office - Southwest Office - Consumer Policy Institute
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