You Did It: DODD Withdraws Travel Restriction Rule After Public Outcry!

We are thrilled to share some huge news: DODD has officially withdrawn the proposed travel restriction rule, OAC 5123-9-08, and designated it “To Be Refiled.”

That means the rule will not move forward in its current form. And even more importantly, the July 1 waiver amendments will no longer include the 60-day travel limitation. This is a direct result of your voices, your emails, and your unwavering advocacy. You made this happen.

What Just Happened?

After a large number of Ohioans submitted written testimony against the unconstitutional proposed rule at the public hearing, DODD quietly updated its website with this statement:

“Proposed new rule 5123-9-08... has been designated 'To Be Refiled.' This language has been removed from the waiver amendments to be effective July 1, 2025.”

In other words:

• The rule is not going into effect.

• CMS will not be asked to approve it (for now).

• DODD has to go back to the drawing board.

  
  

This is how change happens—and it happened because you spoke up.

A huge THANK YOU to every family member, provider, advocate, and self-advocate who took time to write a comment and shared our posts on social media to encourage others to comment. Thank you!

Your voices are powerful. You showed DODD, CMS, and every policymaker watching that Ohio’s disability community is organized, informed, and impossible to ignore.

What’s Next?

DODD may attempt to refile a revised version of the rule in the future, possibly with reworded provisions. We’ll be watching carefully. If and when that happens, we’ll be ready to respond again, and we will need your help again.

For now, take a moment to celebrate. This is a real and meaningful win in the fight for disability rights in Ohio.

Stay tuned. We’ll keep you posted on any future developments. But for now: well done, Ohio. You showed up and it made a difference!