Ohio: Ohio Sunshine Health Freedom Coalition is taking the lead in Ohio and is a strong freedom organization with a mission to establish true health freedom in Ohio by passing "THE REAL HEALTH FREEDOM BILL" without a mandatory registration requirement. Ohio freedom advocates have persistently prepared for this moment, when in the 2009 session they will move forward with a safe harbor exemption bill to protect access to all unlicensed practitioners in Ohio. The group has worked hard reviewing language and garnering legislative support including hiring a lobbyist in order that their bill will be successful in passage.
The Ohio Sunshine Health Freedom Coalition opposed HR148, a bill introduced in 2007 and backed by another organization, Ohio Health Freedom Coalition, because it was a registration bill. In the spring of 2008, HB580 was introduced and sponsored by Rep. John Adams. It was assigned to the Health committee, chaired by the sponsor of HR148. At this point, an Ohio Lobbyist, Zach Holzapfel was retained by Sunshine Health Freedom Foundation from Kegler, Brown and Ritter. A meeting was held at the NSP Convention to update Ohio managers and distributors in August. Susan Gingerich explained the history and enrolled attendees in the need to financially support the new lobbying group.
The autumn of 2008 was spent in elections. Zach met with Diane Miller in Minnesota. He had spoken with about 30 legislators by the end of December. The Ohio House began a new 2 year session in January, 2009, with a Democratic majority for the first time in many years. Committee leadership is not yet assigned. As soon as it is, a sponsor will be asked, a number assigned, and OSHF will energize the grassroots. We’re hoping for bi-partisan sponsorship in both houses.
Since the fall of 2006, Diane Miller has been involved in three draftings of our bills. We have met weekly as a team for 1 – 2 hours each meeting, with board member Kirk Bashaw and often Diane Miller and Clinton Miller. Susan lobbied as needed on her own time, often bringing other members of the team to the state house. We thank the National Health Freedom Action Diane Miller, for her language expertise, her commitment to our needs for training and help in strategizing, and Sunshine Health Freedom Foundation for their unwavering support of time and money when needed. This is a large task, requiring major resources, that will leave a priceless legacy for future Ohioans, and set a precedent for other states.
We have been promised support from Citizens For Health, and the NOW FOODS representative will be taking packets to all Health Food Stores in the state. Meetings are being planned to generate communication between the public and legislators. We are committed to passing a safe harbor health freedom bill as a united coalition. The 2009 bill will be finished drafting soon.
Ohio
Sunshine Health Freedom State Coordinator
Susan Gingerich
12647 New Martinsburg Rd.
Leesburg, Oh 45135
Phone: 937-981-2924
Website:
www.ohiohealthfreedom.com or www.ohiohealthfreedom.info
