Status of HB 315

From John Curry, June 5, 2008
Subject: ...the latest on HB 315....?

From: champions@strsoh.org, June 4, 2008
Subject: [Champions] June Message to Health Care Champions

In April 2008, Rep. Scott Oelslager hosted a meeting of the various stakeholders in House Bill 315. His goal was to get each group to share its position on the bill and to determine if there is common ground upon which to build a consensus. As in previous discussions, the perceived cost to employers remains a major stumbling block for some of the groups -- especially the Ohio School Boards Association and the Ohio Association of School Business Officials. Rep. Oelslager will be calling the group together again this summer to find common ground that can move the legislation forward. It remains to be seen if any hearings on the bill will be held during the lame-duck session after the fall election -- or if this will occur under a new bill number and a new General Assembly session.

While discussions continue at this level, the need for H.B. 315 is also being communicated in the more public arena of campaigns for November's election. STRS Ohio and the Health Care Advocates for STRS have sent letters to both incumbents and those aspiring to seats in the General Assembly about the legislation, explaining the need for this ongoing, dedicated revenue stream. In addition, the Ohio Education Association and the Ohio Federation of Teachers are asking candidates about H.B. 315 as part of their screening process for organization endorsements.

Health Care Champions can play an important role at this time by also talking to candidates this summer and fall about the importance of this legislation to Ohio's public educators. Your work has been critical to keeping this topic at the forefront -- where it must remain if a workable solution is to be passed. By talking to candidates in these coming months, you pave the way for more constructive and fruitful conversations when these legislators take their seats in January.

Other news you may find helpful:

(1) There has been another change to the composition of the Financial Institutions, Real Estate and Securities (FIRES) Committee. Rep. Bill Healy was replaced by Rep. Stephen Slesnick.

(2) Outreach to school boards continues, thanks to the hard work of several Health Care Champions who have been able to get representatives from STRS Ohio and the Health Care Advocates for STRS on board meeting agendas. During the past few months, we have made presentations to Northmor Local Schools, Perry Local Schools, Clear Fork Valley Local Schools and Mentor Exempted Village Schools. Also on the schedule are the Madison Local Schools (Lake County) and Mapleton Local Schools. If you know a board member or have a good working relationship with your board, we hope that you will ask them if we can make a personal visit to talk about H.B. 315 at one of their meetings. We have found these discussions to be extremely beneficial, as they have given us an opportunity to talk about retiree health care in a broader sense than just the aspect of cost.

(3) Many county chapters of ORTA also meet in the spring and gave STRS Ohio associates an opportunity to speak at their luncheon meetings, including Marion City/County RTA, Wood County RTA/BGSU Retirees Association, Clinton County RTA, Jefferson County RTA, Champaign County RTA, Franklin County RTA, Licking County RTA and Carroll County RTA. STRS Ohio also was given a spot on the agenda at each of the four ORTA Spring Conference meetings held in Athens, Canton, Findlay and Wilmington. Opportunities to talk face-to-face with members about H.B.
315 and other STRS Ohio issues are greatly appreciated!

(4) Earlier this year, in February and March, STRS Ohio conducted its annual telephone surveys of 300 active members and 300 retired members. All participants were randomly selected. The survey results show that majority support for H.B. 315 continues among both groups. Additional survey results will be shared in the next STRS Ohio newsletters.

(5) Each month, STRS Ohio's Governmental Relations staff publishes Legislative News, highlighting bills and events at both the Ohio Statehouse and in Washington, D.C., that may be of interest to STRS Ohio members. You can access copies of this newsletter via STRS Ohio's Web site under "Quick Links" on the right-hand side of the home page
(http://www.strsoh.org/quicklinks/legislative.html). If you prefer to receive a print copy in the mail, contact STRS Ohio's Governmental Relations office at (614) 227-2913.

Many Health Care Champions continue to share news via e-mails, phone calls and feedback forms regarding their activities on behalf of H.B. 315. This input is valuable and greatly appreciated. Please remember that STRS Ohio staff and members of the HCA are here to assist you and to provide any needed materials. You can contact us by sending an e-mail to HCChampions@strsoh.org or by calling toll-free 1-888-227-7877 and asking for extension 4077.