TRSA News
The bill applies to a wide range of licensed Ohio healthcare facilities, including hospitals, nursing homes, ambulatory surgical centers, dialysis centers, maternity homes, hospice programs, behavioral health facilities and more, as defined under Ohio law.
Reusable infection-prevention textiles— such as isolation gowns, surgical drapes, sheets, privacy curtains and scrub suits— must be processed by a hygienically clean, certified facility, ensuring they are free of pathogens at levels safe enough to prevent illness, in accordance with U. S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention( CDC) guidance.
Throughout their meetings on March 25, the TRSA representatives explained:
• How Hygienically Clean certification ensures pathogen-free reusable textiles consistent with CDC guidelines.
• How data on safety has long supported the performance and sustainability of reusable healthcare textiles.
• Why establishing a minimum-use threshold helps Ohio healthcare facilities build long-term, stable procurement relationships with in-state companies.
In addition to Sen. Lang’ s leadership on SB 344, Ohio State Rep. Adam Mathews( R) will be introducing a companion bill in the Ohio House. Rep. Mathews hopes to secure a committee hearing later this year.
With support from both chambers— SB 344 in the Senate and an upcoming companion bill in the House— the momentum is building. TRSA members across Ohio remain committed to advocating for policies that enhance infection control, support sustainable practices and strengthen local business operations. TS
Scan here to learn about new and ongoing policy initiatives TRSA is working on.
Scan here >
TRSA, Members Seek Release of Reusables Study
Advocacy by TRSA and its member companies is fueling bipartisan pressure on the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services( HHS) to release a long-awaited federal study evaluating the benefits and feasibility of expanding the use of reusable healthcare textiles.
U. S. Reps. Greg Landsman( D-OH) and Glenn Grothman( R-WI) recently signed and led efforts to send a congressional letter( bit. ly / RFKLet1) urging HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to publish the study conducted by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health( NIOSH), part of the U. S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention( CDC). The report was slated for completion in August 2024, but HHS has not made it public.
Building Hill Momentum
The congressional action follows TRSA’ s Laundry Hill Day on Feb. 19, when nearly 100 linen, uniform and facility services executives traveled to Washington, D. C., to meet with lawmakers on key industry issues. Participants held more than 90 meetings with congressional offices, where they asked lawmakers to press HHS to make the study available or provide a timeline for submitting it to Congress.
Members continued their advocacy in early March, following a TRSA action alert that encouraged industry leaders to contact their senators and representatives and urge them to co-sign the congressional letter.
The study’ s findings are expected to evaluate the performance, supply-chain resilience and cost considerations associated with reusable healthcare textiles. This information will help inform policymakers on future decisions about PPE procurement and emergency preparedness.
“ Six years ago, we learned a painful lesson that over-reliance on single-use, disposable PPE can put patients, providers and our entire healthcare system at risk,” said TRSA President and CEO Joseph Ricci.“ That’ s especially true during national emergencies when PPE demand increases and global supply chains are stretched thin. Congress requested this study to address the problems we’ ve faced in the past, yet it still hasn’ t been shared publicly. We urge HHS to release this study, so policymakers have the facts to better protect patients and providers in the future.”
Issue Draws Media Interest
TRSA’ s advocacy also generated national media attention. Coverage included a March 12 article in Infection Control Today( bit. ly / ICTStudy1). This publication, widely read by infection-prevention professionals, reported on congressional pressure to release the study. The issue was also highlighted on March 11 in Bloomberg Government’ s BGOV Health newsletter, a briefing widely read by healthcare policymakers and federal policy influencers on Capitol Hill. This piece further amplified the
May 2026 • Textile Services 3