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Bill to Let Patients Get STD Meds for Partners Clears Panel
By: Associated Press
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COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) – The Ohio Senate Health committee has cleared a bill that seeks to expand access to treatment for certain sexually transmitted diseases.
The bill would allow doctors to prescribe medication to their patients’ partners without first examining them.
Under current law licensed providers in Ohio must first examine patients before prescribing them antibiotics.
But bill passed Wednesday by the health committee would create a limited exception for partners of patients who have been diagnosed with chlamydia, trichomoniasis or gonorrhea in an effort to reduce cases of the infections.
Ohio’s rate of reported gonorrhea and chlamydia cases has been higher than the national average, with most cases occurring among those ages 15 to 24.