News and Notes: Ohio

Some items of interest from the state that's round on the ends and "hi" in the middle:

Proposed Medicare Change Would Curtail Benefits for 21,500 Ohioans Who Use Home Oxygen - Citing an article in the Chillicothe Gazette, the excellent Ohio Health Policy Review notes that a change in Medicare legislation that has been passed by the House of Representatives would affect an estimated 21,500 Ohioans by reducing the coverage for home oxygen therapy from 36 months to 18 months. The provision is contained in the Children's Health and Medicare Protection Act of 2007 (CHAMP), which is currently under consideration by the Senate.

Huttlinger Out as Campaign Manager? - Blogger Chris Baker of Ohio 2nd says word on the street is that 2nd Congressional District candidate Steve Black (D-Indian Hill) is looking for a new campaign manager to replace Mary Huttlinger, who was formerly campaign manager for Dr. Victoria Wulsin (D-Indian Hill).

Daily Left Has Video Interview with OH-16 Challenger Boccieri - The enterprising blogger at Daily Left ran into State Sen. John Boccieri (D-New Middletown) at the Stark County Fair and the result was this impromptu video interview.

Brunner Challenged on Ideas for Expanding Role of Secretary of State - Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner (D-Columbus) has paid attention to the innovative things that other secretaries of state around the country are doing, and she's interested in doing some of those things here in Ohio. One such project is a "social-health index" which would collect and report quality-of-life data about Ohio. Employers and local governments could use the information to attract employees and businesses to the state. Other ideas include trade missions and taking control of the state library. As reported in the Columbus Dispatch over the weekend, however, State Rep. Kevin DeWine (R) isn't at all pleased that Brunner wants to expand beyond overseeing elections and processing business filings. The deputy chairman of the state GOP, a frequent critic of Brunner, charges that she should not undertake any such additional responsibilities "until such time that she can stand on the Statehouse steps and tell us that the election system in Ohio is without fault." Brunner isn't backing down. "Basically, their criticism comes from their unimaginative view of what government should be doing for the people," Brunner said. "If they want to criticize me for trying to make my state better, have at it."