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When you arrive at the Cleveland Clinic for a doctor’s appointment, you’d better have your copay ready.
Starting in June, patients who can’t pay before their appointment will be sent away, to reschedule for when they can pay. That could mean waiting weeks.
Experts say elderly and low-income patients and those with chronic illnesses who require many doctor visits will suffer the most from the new policy, which differs from other Northeast Ohio health care systems. It will not apply to surgeries and emergency visits.
To put this in context: The announcement comes weeks after the Clinic main campus scored worst in Ohio on the Lown Institute’s list of 20 U.S. hospitals with a “fair share deficit,” when hospitals receive more in tax breaks than they give back to the community.
— Laura
Overnight scores and weather
Guardians vs. Milwaukee Brewers: Jose Ramirez strikes again as Guardians blank Brewers for second straight game, 2-0
NBA playoffs: Pacers eliminate Cavs in Game 5, 114-105
Northeast Ohio weather forecast: Rainy weather pattern continues
Top Stories
Clinic co-pay: Starting in June, Cleveland Clinic patients who can’t pay their co-pay on the spot will have nonemergency appointments rescheduled or cancelled, reports Julie Washington. The new policy could make it harder for low-income people who prefer to be billed to see a Clinic doctor, and create delays that could lead to medical emergencies down the road, health policy experts said.
Roger Goodell: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell joined Browns owner Jimmy Haslam on Tuesday in meeting with Gov. Mike DeWine and other state leaders in the team’s lobbying effort to secure money for a new Browns stadium in Brook Park. Rich Exner reports that Goodell’s visit to Columbus comes as the Ohio Senate is mulling a new state budget that could include state contributions for stadiums for both the Browns and the Cincinnati Bengals.
Today in Ohio: Ohio’s State Historic Preservation Office has laid off a third of its staff because of $1.45 million in federal funding held back by President Trump. We’re talking about the repercussions of the cuts on Today in Ohio, cleveland.com’s daily half-hour news podcast.
Statehouse and Politics
Phone ban: With an eye on next school year, an Ohio Senate committee advanced a bill that would generally prohibit students’ cell phone use during class, Laura Hancock reports Senate Bill 158 could hit the floor for a full Senate vote as soon as Wednesday, the next scheduled session
Preservation cuts: Ohio’s State Historic Preservation Office has laid off a third of its workers because the Trump administration has held up about $1.45 million in federal funding, reports Jeremy Pelzer. It’s too soon to say exactly how last Friday’s layoffs of 12 of the State Historic Preservation Office’s 36 employees will affect the office’s work, reports Jeremy Pelzer.
Constitutional convention: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis brought his campaign for Congressional term limits to Ohio Tuesday, asking Statehouse Republicans to help him rewrite the U.S. Constitution, reports Anna Staver.
Tri-share: An amended plan to share the cost of child care among parents, their employers and the state advanced Tuesday out of an Ohio House committee. Mary Frances McGowan reports that in the “Child Care Cred” program, the state would kick in a percentage of child care costs for eligible families, which would cover a portion of their child care along with their employers.
Behavioral health: U.S. Rep. Emilia Sykes has introduced legislation that would continue a program that provides tens of millions of dollars each year to increase the supply of behavioral health professionals. Sabrina Eaton reports the legislation would extend Congress’ authorization for the Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training Program, which awards recruiting and training grants.
Northeast Ohio News
Mayoral spat: An April altercation between Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court Judge David Matia and Cleveland Heights Mayor Kahlil Seren – who are neighbors – ended with Matia calling police and Seren being warned that he could be arrested for trespassing. Cory Shaffer reports the encounter, which resulted in no arrests or citations, is the latest bizarre incident as the city’s first elected mayor remains under scrutiny from City Council over McDaniel’s role in his administration.
Bay lacrosse: Bay High School’s lacrosse team has canceled the remainder of its season after a player died following injuries he suffered during a match. Lucas Daprile reports the decision follows the death of sophomore Dylan Veselic, 16, who was injured during a May 6 game.
West Side Market: Boutros Bros Produce has been in the North Arcade of the West Side Market since 2006. Tom and his brother Joe sell a broad variety of produce from four connected stands, reports Paris Wolfe. What started at 60 or so items is now 130 including the usuals and seasonals like morel mushrooms.
Garden tips: Want to attract birds to your Northeast Ohio yard? Susan Brownstein writes that just planting a few shrubs can attract stunning birds like scarlet tanagers, Baltimore orioles, and cedar waxwings.
Million-dollar listings: In April, 13 homes sold for at least $1 million across Cuyahoga County, the highest number during any month so far this year. Megan Sims reports the top sales happened in Rocky River, Gates Mills, Solon, Shaker Heights, Hunting Valley, Highland Heights, Pepper Pike, Broadview Heights, Cleveland and Westlake.
Business and Health
Tariff help: A Cleveland-based financial and business advisory firm has launched a new service to help businesses navigate the changing rules around tariffs and trade.Molly Walsh reportsthe CBIZ Tariff Solutionwas designed to help companies understand how tariffs can impact their costs, profits and supply chains.
Crime and Courts
Man trapped: Firefighters on Tuesday rescued a man who had been trapped in a drainpipe for approximately 10 hours in Clinton, reports Olivia Mitchell.
Shelter in place: Two Mentor schools temporarily issued “shelter-in-place” orders after a nearby pharmacy was robbed Tuesday morning, reports Lucas Daprile.
King trial: The jury trial for suspended East Cleveland Mayor Brandon King on corruption-related charges has been reset to begin Monday, reports David Gambino. It was delayed from its original April 30 start date after King’s attorney, Charles Tyler, asked the Ohio Supreme Court to remove Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Judge Hollie Gallagher from the case. The state’s high court rejected the request.
Stolen checks: A former U.S. Postal Service mail carrier was sentenced Monday to more than three years in federal prison for stealing $1.9 million worth of checks from Lakewood businesses to sell to forgers. Adam Ferrise reports that Gregory Drake, 34, stole 127 checks to and from the businesses on his route in 2022. Forgers cashed 63 of those checks, worth about $1 million.
Arts and Entertainment
Ask Yadi: What if you don’t like your best friend’s boyfriend? Yadi Rodriguez tackles that topic in her recent column.
Jane Scott: Plain Dealer rock writer Jane Scott was one of Cleveland’s most singular figures. Peter Chakerian reports that Scott lived such an intriguing life that Majkin Holmquist, co-founder of Next Stage Theatre Company and an MFA playwright-instructor, was inspired to write about her.
Great Lakes: Great Lakes Brewing Co., the stalwart on the brewing block in Cleveland, has gotten a refresh for both décor and menu changes. Official reopening for the state’s first craft brewery is Wednesday, May 14, reports Marc Bona.
Woodstock BBQ: Woodstock BBQ has become a neighborhood staple in Lakewood, transforming from a small operation to a beloved barbecue destination over nearly nine years in business. The restaurant was recently named the “Best” spot to eat and drink in Lakewood according to Cleveland.com readers.
Vegan Doughnut: Lakewood locals have access to some of the best donuts in the country, and one of the city’s classics -- The Vegan Doughnut Co. -- was recognized by Yelp as one of top donut shops in the U.S., reports Alex Darus.
You’re all caught up
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— Curated by content director Laura Johnston with contributions by by Cliff Pinckard.
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