Rep. Scott Oelslager has introduced the STRS healthcare funding proposal. The bill number is House Bill 315. Below is a link to the bill on the Legislature's website.

http://www.legislature.state.oh.us/bills.cfm?ID=127_HB_315

As an organization associated with Ohio's education community you may be contacted by the media for a statement regarding the introduction of the this bill. Each HCA member organization is, of course, free to make statements to the media about their own respective organization, its membership in HCA and its position on the proposal. However, please remember that as a whole, HCA's public spokesperson is Bill Leibensperger and any inquiries that comes your way concerning HCA's position, another HCA member organization, or any other HCA-type question should be directed to Bill.

If asked, please explain that HCA is co-chaired by Larry Lewellen, Associate Vice President of Human Resources at OSU, representing employers and Bill Leibensperger, Vice President of OEA, representing employees. Then refer inquiries about HCA to Bill, as our spokesperson.

Bill's contact information is: 614-227-3088, leibensp@ohea.org

Actions that would be appropriate at this time from all HCA member organizations include:

1. Distributing bill/issue background information and sample letter of support to your grassroots membership.

2. Posting an announcement on your organization's website along with contact information or links to STRS for more detailed information on the bill and avenues for getting actively involved in supporting the bill.

3. Sending a Thank You letter to Rep. Oelslager and co-sponsors (found listed at the top of the bill).