BORDERLAND

Panel to host hearing in Toledo on health care

9/2/2013

An Ohio House panel that is considering reforms to state-sponsored health-care programs such as treating prescription drug addiction is hosting a public hearing at 1 p.m. today in ProMedica Toledo Hospital’s Education Center auditorium, 2142 N. Cove Blvd.

Last year, 31,821 Ohioans needed hospital treatment for prescription drug overdoses, many of whom lost their lives, said state Rep. Barbara Sears (R., Monclova Twp.), a member of the study committee.

Since 2007, unintentional drug overdose death has been the leading cause of accidental death in Ohio. Two-thirds of those deaths involved a prescription drug. That’s more than cocaine, heroin, and marijuana deaths combined, according to the representative’s office.