State Workers' Comp chief calls for expanded services, partnership with OSU Public Health

The newly appointed medical director at the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation said he plans to open the bureau’s network of physicians and occupational therapist and expand the types of treatment for which the state will pay (Source: “Medical director wants patient choice in Ohio,” Forbes/Associated Press, Sept. 26, 2008).

Robert Balchick, a urologist and former bioscience consultant, said he also wants to explore the possibility of teaming up with public health experts at The Ohio State University in an effort to bring together government health care, higher education and the state’s biotechnology sector.

"The message there is we're not just looking internally with trying to solve some of these problems," Balchick said.