Ohio Governor Mike DeWine vetoed a portion of a bill on Thursday that was intended to protect medical free speech but was deemed by the governor as potentially undermining the state’s ability to regulate misconduct. Despite criticism from open government groups, DeWine allowed a provision in the bill that permits law enforcement agencies to charge up to $75 an hour for police body camera video.
The vetoed health-related language in the bill came amidst the upcoming appointment of anti-vaccine activist Robert F. Kennedy Jr. by President-elect Donald Trump. Governor DeWine expressed concerns about the potential negative impact of the bill on patient health, stating that it could lead to harmful medical care without accountability.
The bill, passed in the early hours of the morning during a lame-duck session, contained various controversial items. DeWine also vetoed provisions related to ethics exemptions and the role of clerks of court, receiving praise from the Ohio Ethics Commission for his actions to maintain the state’s ethics law integrity.
The vetoed provision aimed to protect health care professionals from disciplinary action for expressing medical opinions that differ from those of health authorities. Although DeWine allowed a provision declaring Ohio outside the jurisdiction of the World Health Organization to remain in the bill, he did not sign onto a letter opposing the WHO’s draft pandemic response proposal alongside many of his Republican colleagues.
Advocates for Medical Freedom supported the veto of the medical free speech provision, aligning with their efforts to limit vaccine mandates. DeWine’s decision to veto parts of the bill reflects his commitment to upholding public health and accountability amid the ongoing challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The following March saw the reintroduction of a modified version of the law. The medical freedom group has minimized the impact of Sherri Tenpenny’s case on the latest medical free speech proposal. Tenpenny, an Ohio osteopathic doctor, gained national attention in June 2021 for her testimony claiming that COVID-19 vaccines could make people magnetic. She also suggested that these vaccines might be causing individuals to “interface” with cell towers and disrupt women’s menstrual cycles. Following this, the state medical board, responsible for overseeing physicians and addressing false or deceptive medical claims, initiated an investigation after receiving around 350 complaints. Tenpenny’s medical license was suspended in 2023 for her non-cooperation, which included refusing to engage with investigators, respond to written inquiries, or participate in a deposition. Recently, Tenpenny agreed to pay a $3,000 fine and collaborate with the investigation, resulting in the restoration of her license earlier this year.
