[Ohio-Talk] Hb214

[Richard Payne]

Dear Richard 

On Tuesday the Ohio House of Representatives Health Committee is scheduled
to hear testimony regarding Ohio House Bill 214, a bill to require
accessible prescription readers.

As I have begun to follow these kinds of proceedings I have been surprised
by how few letters of support and testimony get logged. It would be really
amazing to see an outpouring of support documented for this bill.  Even if
you are an existing ScripTalk user, your story about how it is helping you
or your struggle to obtain one could be a valuable witness.

If you would like to submit a letter of support to the Ohio House of
Representatives Health Committee you need to do so before Monday morning!
Your written testimony should be sent to:  hannah.stanbery at ohiohouse.gov
<mailto:hannah.stanbery at ohiohouse.gov>  and don't forget to also send a copy
to your local representative and senator in anticipation of it making it to
the floor!!

Current Text of the legislation can be found here:
http://search-prod.lis.state.oh.us/solarapi/v1/general_assembly_133/bills/hb
214/IN/00?format=pdf

Below is some information you may find useful when writing your letter.

Kind Regards,

Ideally, the collection of testimonies provided to the committee will
include a range of experiences that demonstrate the key points the law is
designed to address.  If you are part of a group, perhaps have a discussion
about who will focus their testimony on which of the talking points below so
the gambit of issues are addressed through the testimonies. The point is to
demonstrate how the law would assist both you and the pharmacist in more
effective communication, equal access to printed prescription information
required by the FDA, and provide personal safety, independence and pursuit
of health and happiness. :)  
Key Points this law is designed to address: 
*	The difficulty of managing prescriptions without sight
*	Equal access to state and FDA mandated prescription information
*	The challenge of requesting accommodation at the pharmacy
*	Ineffective accommodations provided
*	The personal and financial cost of medication errors for patient and
pharmacy

1.	Your letter should begin as follows: 
		November 19, 2019 
		
		Ohio House Health Committee 
		
		Proponent Testimony HB 188
		
		Submitted by: Your Name
		Next line your address:
		
		Chair Lipps, Vice Chair Manning, Ranking Member Boyd, and
Members of the
		Ohio House Health Committee:

		Thank you for the opportunity to submit testimony in support
of HB214.

2.	The body should emphasize the need for equal access to critical
prescription label information.
a.	Give an example of one or two of the following that best suit your
situation:
i.	Your experience managing multiple meds without vision.  Errors that
have been made (yours or the pharmacy's). How it made you feel.  "Solutions"
that have not worked. So and so wants to help, but this solution is just not
cutting it. Or I appreciate their willingness to try, but we need something
solid to enforce this.
ii.	Your experience requesting accessible prescription labels per ADA
and being denied.  Explain what the reasoning for the denial.  If your
pharmacist said they would like to provide the service but corporate
decisions prevented them, be sure to state that as well. 
iii.	Your experience of being referred to another pharmacy a distance
away or a mail order option and the struggles of utilizing that option to
demonstrate the need for service at the window.  (no ride, controlled
substances cannot be mailed, meds arriving in an untimely manner, does not
accept insurance).
iv.	Your experience being given "at the window" counseling or an
alternative format (Braille, large print) but not being able to access the
information once home (you're not a Braille reader, the font wasn't big
enough, etc) or the pharmacist not being available for questions after hours
when you needed info about meds that sighted could read on the label. 
v.	An example of the cost of medication errors personally or
financially for you and/or your pharmacist. How did it make you and your
family feel?  How did the pharmacist feel? What other ramifications were
there?
vi.	Your Success Story!!!  A personal experience that demonstrates how
accessible prescription labels benefits both you and your pharmacist.
Demonstrating how accessible prescription labels are successful is critical.

b.	Explain how this law is the best solution to the problem.  This law
gives grounds to stand on to ensure the right to medication safety is
fulfilled. All people should have equal access to prescription information
regardless of disability.  

3.	Conclusion/rephrase your support:   I urge you to support and pass
HB 214...

4.	Thank the committee including specific members if space/time
permits.

Your written testimony should be sent to:   hannah.stanbery at ohiohouse.gov
<mailto:hannah.stanbery at ohiohouse.gov> 




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