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Bill

SB 220

Establish paramedicine programs; require insurance coverage

136th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Susan Manchester

Ohio bill establishes paramedic treatment programs outside hospitals and requires insurers to cover paramedicine services, potentially reducing ER visits but increasing insurance costs.

Referred to committee
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Bill Summary · SB 220

Legislative bill overview

SB 220 would establish paramedicine programs in Ohio and mandate that insurance coverage include paramedicine services. The bill appears designed to expand emergency medical services by enabling paramedics to provide certain medical interventions outside traditional hospital settings, while ensuring insurers cover these services.

Why is this important

Paramedicine programs can reduce emergency department overcrowding, lower healthcare costs for certain conditions, and improve response times for non-emergency medical needs by allowing paramedics to treat and refer patients directly rather than transporting everyone to hospitals. However, insurance coverage mandates directly impact premium costs and insurer operations, affecting healthcare pricing for all policyholders.

Potential points of contention

  • Scope of practice definition: The bill's specifics on which medical interventions paramedics can perform aren't detailed in available information, raising questions about liability, training requirements, and patient safety standards
  • Insurance coverage costs: Mandating coverage creates new insurance expenses that could increase premiums or reduce coverage in other areas, affecting affordability and consumer choice
  • Implementation and oversight: Unclear authority for establishing program standards, training protocols, and quality assurance mechanisms could lead to inconsistent services across regions

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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