Columbus, OH – On Wednesday, Rea S. Hederman Jr., executive director of the Economic Research Center at The Buckeye Institute and vice president of policy, issued statements on the passage of House Bill 679, House Bill 669, and House Bill 673 by the Ohio House of Representatives. The bills now go to the Ohio Senate for consideration.

House Bill 679, which will improve access to health care and lower costs by permanently expanding telehealth.

“The Buckeye-championed policies in House Bill 679 go a long way towards expanding health care access, lowering costs, and increasing flexibility for patients and providers—particularly those living in rural areas and the elderly. With some changes, the policies in House Bill 679 have the potential to improve outcomes, lower costs, and promote future innovations.”

House Bill 669, which will permanently allow restaurants and bars to offer alcohol on their carryout and delivery menus.

“By lifting unnecessary regulations and allowing restaurants and bars to offer alcohol on their carryout and delivery menus—something The Buckeye Institute recommended at the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic—the Ohio House of Representatives has thrown a lifeline to restaurant and bar owners and their employees. The consistent revenue stream offered through these regulatory changes will enable many small businesses to keep their doors open and people employed during this economic crisis.”

House Bill 673, which will eliminate unnecessary occupational license restrictions and allow more trained medical professionals to help patients.

“The commonsense policies in House Bill 673—many of which The Buckeye Institute recommended—will enable Ohio to better respond to the complex challenges presented by COVID-19. While these policies do not solve every challenge Ohio workers and care providers now face, they do move Ohio in the right direction by eliminating unnecessary government restrictions and allowing more trained professionals to do their jobs and help patients.”

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