After lengthy conversations with key stakeholders, the Ohio Nurses Association Board of Directors voted to oppose the Prescription Drug Relief Act, or Issue 2, for the following reasons:

It would actually raise the cost of prescriptions.

The language states that no public entity is to pay more than the lowest amount paid by the VA system. This is problematic because rebates are not taken into consideration, and therefore in many instances, medications would cost more than what the state is currently negotiating.

It would restrict access to medication.

The VA system has its own formulary. Therefore, patients would lose access, or pay the top-dollar cost, if their medication is not within the VA formulary.

It cannot be operationalized.

The VA system does not make their contracts public, and they do not intend to make those contracts public. This creates barriers to operationalization because there is no way to find out the details of the VA contracts – the foundation of the entire ballot initiative.

ONA is an association built on integrity, and we cannot support an initiative that would have adverse effects on our patients. We are committed to working with key stakeholders to find the right solution to lowering drug prices for Ohio’s patients.