Portsmouth City Council passed an ordinance in March that regulates pain clinics. It calls for increased regulation of existing pain clinics, which are required to apply with the city health department and be affiliated with a hospital or accredited college or university, among other restrictions.
As of Tuesday, no pain clinics had been approved, said Peggy Burton, Portsmouth City Health Commissioner.
“They have to apply for a permit to operate a pain management clinic,” Burton said.
Burton said she had recently received an application from attorney Steven Hillman, representing Southern Ohio Complete Pain Management LLC and Portsmouth Medical Solutions LLC, the two pain clinics that had been operating in Portsmouth.
“He has submitted the applications and they are incomplete. He only filled out the name and address of the clinic and that’s it. He did not put any of the other information asked for on the application,” Burton said. “He sent a letter to say a long list of things, basically that we (city of Portsmouth) lack the constitutional authority to require these facilities to apply to the health department.”
Hillman, on behalf of the two pain management clinics, has been the only person to apply for the application.
“They have 30 days from the date I receive the application for them to be licensed. However, I would not act on this application because it is not completed. I do not consider this an application because it’s incomplete and they have paid no fee,” Burton said.
Burton said she will send Hillman a letter stating that because of an incomplete application and lack of payment of the fee, she cannot proceed with licensing those clinics.
Roberts said neither pain clinic appeared to be open.
“I went by (Southern Ohio Complete Pain Management LLC and Portsmouth Medical Solutions LLC) this morning, and neither one is open. We’ll have to continue to watch and see. As of this morning there were no employees parked where they typically park, there were no patients.”
In April, Hillman filed for an injunction, asking the courts to delay implementation of the ordinance until higher courts determine the constitutionality of the ordinance. Visiting Judge Charles Cooper denied Hillman’s request for an injunction.
A trial has been set for June 14-16 to determine the constitutionality of the ordinance.
Hillman said in April that he believes the job of regulating pain clinics, pharmacies and doctors’ offices belongs with the state of Ohio and not with any local municipality.
“The state is doing it and the state is supposed to do it,” Hillman said. “And the city is not allowed to.”
Since then, Gov. John Kasich has signed House Bill 93, intended to regulate pain clinics statewide.
WAYNE ALLEN may be reached at (740) 353-3101, ext. 208, or wallen@heartlandpublications.com.
For it's you all who've empowered and enabled this corruption, making good bad, for decades, and you love it, hah. What a piece of works you are. Throw the blame of non-communications to cover up your failures, etc.
You must have been spoon fed all your life that's why the SOGP keeps using you for stooges footin' the bill with your taxes and fees and we would not be surprised if those of you piling on are of the SOGP Cult, etc. ??? getting tax abatements on the back of the hard working home owners who you will be forcing out of town, so you can keep skimming off the top like they do at the sewerage treatment plant (WWTP).
Rant on Rant on, at least you are taking the initiative to post even if it's "negativity" as reporter Ryan would day.
Phil Reed
Wheelersburg
You are being too nice.
@Acitizen
Sunshine gives you too much credit. Your comments are not well thought out or clear. You continually pawn all the problems of Portsmouth to a few select people. Your issues are much bigger than the Daily Times. If you are so unsatisfied with every article they write, quite reading them. I for one am sick of reading your rants and trying to figure out what you are talking about and who you are trying to offend. Do everyone a favor and quite writing them.
I see your comments here frequently. Often, I agree with the overall intent and message of your comments. What you're trying for with the "Oh, this," and "Oh, that," and incongruous clause placement? I get it.
However, your attempts at cleverness in your writing style simply make it seem as if you have spent your day sniffing glue.
Your point of view would be much better understood if you stick to the basics, as your grasp of writing is not on par with your thoughts. This makes your comments laughable rather than informative or thought-provoking in the manner you intend.
Just a suggestion.
Where's the rest of the "groupies" like the chief of police, et al?
Oh, this is a play by play by the PDT's?
All a distraction from the two failed Governments in years of DEFICITs.
This is like the reports on Walton, SR. given to us to wear us odown. What are they doing, essentially nothing, zilch, NADA.
Oh, who should we hold accountable, Russian Roulette, on the reporters reporting to us what they are reporting to us?
Also, what office are doing something with it now, Dr. Johnson, and the rest of the list who we are to follow to be in charge of all this, they divvy it up so we can not hold anyone accountable. HELP, Lord God have fur from them, Please. '