Wilkin-sponsored bill will help public hospitals

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Legislation that will help Highland District Hospital and eight other public hospitals around Ohio has been signed into law.

House Bill 222, sponsored by state Reps. Shane Wilkin (R-Hillsboro) and Terrence Upchurch (D-Cleveland), was signed into law July 1 by Governor Mike DeWine.

The bill specifies that an entity formed or acquired by a public hospital, or one it becomes involved with, is a separate entity. The clarity is important for our hospitals, Wilkin said.

“Public hospitals play an important role in the delivery of health care in our community and a number of communities across Ohio,” Wilkin said. “This is a common sense bill that will remove ambiguity from state law.”

Randal Lennartz, president and CEO of Highland District Hospital, was among those who filed testimony in support of the bill. He praised the passage of House Bill 222.

“The rural health care industry is a very challenging industry. It is responsible for providing vital care to a vast amount of citizens, yet it is commonly underfunded and is required to operate on limited resources,” Lennartz said. “The passing of House Bill 222 allows organizations like our rural, critical access hospital to expand our services through partnerships with other organizations. This opportunity fuels the necessary heartbeat of our health care continuum and propels the possibility of exceptional, local care far into the future.”

For more information, contact Wilkin’s office at at 614-466-3506 or [email protected].

Submitted by the office of Shane Wilkin.

Shane Wilkin (second from left) is pictured with his daughters on either side of Ohio Governor Mike DeWine (seated).
https://www.timesgazette.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/33/2021/07/web1_Wilkin.jpgShane Wilkin (second from left) is pictured with his daughters on either side of Ohio Governor Mike DeWine (seated). Submitted photo

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