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SB 614 and HB 457 need your calls and emails NOW

Posted over 10 years ago by Michelle Taylor

All of our state groups -FNA, FNPN and FLANP - have been hard at work on our behalf.

Representative Pigman's bill CS/HB 547 - Scope of Practice of Advanced Practice Registered Nurses & Physician Assistants, passed out of it's last committee and will be going to the full House floor for a vote soon.  The link to watch the committee discussion is  http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/VideoPlayer.aspx?eventID=2443575804_2015041102&committeeID=2857 . Fast forward to 1.14 min to hear Dr. Pigman present HB547 bill as an important and needed fix the impending primary care physician shortage in FL. (It's very helpful to listen to so you can frame your own comments when discussing with other people)

HB 547 does 4 things:

  1. Path to independent practice for certain NPs
  2. Provides controlled substance prescribing for NPs and PAs
  3. Allows APRNs to Baker Act and allows release by certified PMH NPs
  4. Gives global signature authority to NPs and PAs

On the Treasure Coast, Representative Magar has been a "yes" and Representative Harrell has been a "no" vote. We need phone calls/emails to your representative NOW in support of HB 457 - from NPs, nurses, our patients, our family and importantly our physicians.

Rep Magar (82)      ph (850) 717-5082    MaryLynn.Magar@myfloridahouse.gov

Rep Harrell (83)     ph (850) 717-5083    gayle.harrell@myfloridahouse.gov

Rep Lee (84)           ph (850) 717-5084    Larry.Lee@myfloridahouse.gov

Rep Mayfield (54)  ph (850) 717-5084    debbie.mayfield@myfloridahouse.gov

Senator Grimsley's bill, SB 614: Drug Prescription by Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants has passed the 2 committees and is now in the Senate Rules Committee. This bill allows for controlled substance prescribing. Calls and emails to members of this committee are needed to ask that SB 614 be placed on the agenda and passed (see below).

Our Treasure Coast Senator Joe Negron is on the Rules Committee. Unfortunately he was 1 of the 2 "no" votes when this bill passed the Regulated Industries Committee last month. We have some work to do in gaining Senator Negron's support for SB 614, as well as for HB 457 when (I won't say if) it passes the House and goes to the Senate. He needs to hear from us, his constituents. I think it's very important for him to also hear from local physicians who support these bills. All it takes is a phone call or email that says "I'm Dr XYZ, a (insert specialty here) in (insert town) and I ask that Senator Negron support SB 614 and HB 457."

Rules Committee: