Ohio Council leadership testified to the House Medicaid Committee in support of House Bill 795, the SHIELD Act, with proposed amendments to ensure the bill treats home health and hospice providers fairly, with accountability and integrity.
The Council is grateful for the opportunity to present our industry’s concerns and suggest additional solutions for confronting fraud, waste, and abuse in our industry. See below for details, video replays, and transcripts of our engagement on this critically important legislative action. A special thank you to OCHCH member firm Hicks Partners for their support in our advocacy outreach.
House Medicaid Committee
Committee Chair: Rep. Jennifer Gross
Meeting Date: June 2, 2026
Meeting Details & Transcripts on OhioHouse.gov
Full Meeting Video Replay on the Ohio Channel
Videos linked below are framed to present each speaker’s portion of the meeting.
Videos are hosted by The Ohio Channel.
Lisa Von Lehmden
Executive Director
Ohio Council for Home Care & Hospice
Testimony Transcript on OhioHouse.gov (pdf)
A message from Lisa:
Yesterday, June 2, I had the privilege of testifying before the House Medicaid Committee, chaired by Jennifer Gross, regarding House Bill 795, the SHIELD Act. As the legislative session moves toward its June conclusion, the bill continues to gain momentum, making these discussions especially important. While testifying is always a bit nerve-racking, it is also incredibly rewarding. I am honored to serve as the voice of the Ohio Council for Home Care & Hospice and the members we represent across the state. I believe our testimony was well received, particularly because we focused on simplifying complex industry terminology, clearly explaining provider types, and helping committee members better understand who we are, who we represent, and how home and community-based care fits into Ohio’s broader healthcare landscape.
The committee engaged thoughtfully with our testimony and asked excellent questions. In particular, Representative Barhorst inquired about the Council itself and the role our membership plays in serving Ohioans. It provided an opportunity to highlight something we are deeply proud of: state associations are often made up of providers who are committed to doing things the right way, and the Ohio Council is no exception. Our members are agencies that strive every day to provide high-quality, ethical care to Ohioans in their homes and communities. We welcome agencies that share those values and are committed to serving patients for the right reasons. The Ohio Council exists to be your voice, your advocate, and your partner as we navigate challenges, opportunities, and policy decisions that impact care delivery across our state.
As the legislative process continues, we now turn our attention to the six amendments we presented for consideration. We remain hopeful that the questions, comments, and concerns raised by committee members will lead to productive conversations and thoughtful refinement of the legislation. As always, we are committed to keeping our members informed and engaged throughout the process. If you have questions, concerns, or would simply like to discuss House Bill 795 and its potential impact, please do not hesitate to reach out to your friends here at the Ohio Council. We are proud to stand in the trenches alongside you and remain committed to protecting and advancing care for Ohioans at home.
Kimberly King
President, Home Care Network
OCHCH Board Member
Testimony Transcript on OhioHouse.gov (pdf)
Michael Vallee
CEO, Your Choice Health Care Group
OCHCH Board Member
Testimony Transcript on OhioHouse.gov (pdf)
Kristy Pyles
Founder & CEO, In Your Corner Consulting, LLC
OCHCH Help Desk Expert Panel – EVV
Kristy’s testimony was submitted in written form only, no video is available.
