State Representative Cheryl Grossman (R-Grove City) has announced that the Ohio House of Representatives today passed House Bill 417, which requires health care entities to notify patients when their physician’s employment has been terminated by that health care entity.

Specifically, House Bill 417 will require health care facilities to give notice to patients in the event that a physician ceases practicing there. Additionally, the hospital or health care provider will be required to furnish the terminated physician’s name and possible contact information for him or her, the date on which the physician will no longer treat patients at the facility, and contact information for an alternative physician employed by the hospital or health care facility.

“House Bill 417 will strengthen the patient-physician relationship by ensuring that patients are given proper notice following a physician’s termination of employment with a health care entity,” said Representative Grossman. “Currently, doctors often have no way to contact their patients if they leave the practice and patients are left unsure of how to find where their physician has moved. This legislation will help stabilize the care options for patients and ensure that they receive proper notice if their doctor relocates.”

House Bill 417 passed by a vote of 96-1 and will now be sent to the Ohio Senate for further consideration.