The Health and Human Services Section is a litigation-oriented section. HHS cases primarily involve administrative hearings pursuant to R.C. 119. The Section represents agencies in the healthcare, licensing and public benefit areas. The Section also brings lawsuits on behalf of agencies and defends agencies against suits in all state and federal courts. HHS typically has over thirty attorneys, in five regional offices. The Section represents both regulatory boards and state agencies, and is divided into five units, as follows:

 

The Regulatory Board Unit is the largest unit in HHS. In addition to the Ohio Department of Aging and the Ohio Department of Insurance (ODI), the Unit represents health-related professional licensing boards. Some examples include the Medical Board, the Dental Board, the Pharmacy Board, and the Nursing Board. 

 

The Health Unit represents the Ohio Department of Health. Health cases mostly deal with facility licensure (CON, group homes, adult care facilities, nursing homes, migrant labor camps, ambulatory surgical facilities). Some Health cases also deal with professional licensure (nurse aides, x-ray technicians, asbestos abatement) and environmental matters (radon, lead abatement). Other programs such as WIC (Women’s, Infant’s and Children’s Food Supplement Program) also generate litigation.

 

The Unemployment Services Unit represents one division of the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, the Unemployment Compensation Division. The Unit defends the decisions of the Unemployment Compensation Review Commission on all appellate matters. 

 

The Human Services Unit represents another part of the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS). This Unit deals with public-benefits cases. Cases include issues related to eligibility for benefits under programs including Medicaid, TANF, Food Stamps, and Adoption Assistance, and also litigates Medicaid-provider cases involving audits and general provider status. The Unit also represents ODJFS in its role as the licensing entity for day-care and foster-care providers, as well as miscellaneous work related to ODJFS’ role with child support. 

 

The DODD/MH/ODADAS Unit represents the Ohio Department of Mental Health (ODMH), the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities (DODD), and the Ohio Department of Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services (ODADAS). On behalf of these clients, HHS participates in licensure matters, commitment hearings, abuse hearings, certification of group homes and forced medication matters. 

The Health and Human Services Section can be reached at 466-8600.