FINDLAY, OH (WLIO) - Two proposed healthcare bills in the Ohio General Assembly have college students speaking up to voice their opinions.
Pharmacy students at the University of Findlay took time to write letters to their respective state legislators today about House Bill 73 and House Bill 80. House Bill 73 would require pharmacists to fill prescriptions for off-label medications if the physician making the request deems it "Medically appropriate", even if it goes against the pharmacists' professional judgment. House Bill 80 would authorize pharmacists to test and treat their patients and expand their responsibilities, as well as access to care for those that cannot make an appointment with their physician.
"I'm hoping that they can just really learn that their voices can be heard even with writing letters and hopefully calling their representatives as well, just because as we're developing as pharmacy students, this is impacting our career in the future," commented Hailey Selders, 5th-year pharmacy student at the University of Findlay.
"I believe that the students have, will need to carry this through the rest of their lives. There's always going to be something that comes up in healthcare, and they need to look at it from the perspective of patient-care access and how will it really impact that person and citizens of Ohio in the future and the healthcare. And will it allow us as healthcare practitioners and healthcare people to do what we need to do to achieve the goals of making healthcare number one in Ohio," said Tonya Brim-Dauterman, associate dean for advocacy and external affairs.
Ohio Senator Rob McColley will be visiting the University of Findlay next Monday to discuss the bills up for a vote.
