First Week of Legislative Session Update
Posted about 14 years ago by Regina Pommer
Colleagues,
The first week of the legislative session was dominated by concerns over Florida’s budget and the estimated 1.5 to 3 billion dollar deficit. Because of this, the main concern for Legislators this session is to identify cuts in programs to balance the budget. As health care costs and Medicaid reform are big issues this session, our lobbyist, Ms. Allison Carvajal, has been meeting with the Chair of the Health Care Appropriations Committee, Representative Denise Grimsley to highlight the role nurse practitioners can provide in helping to reduce Medicaid costs. As an RN, Representative Grimsley has been very supportive of our cause and has been working with Ms. Carvajal to move our issues and concerns forward. Recent changes in administration to BON: Rick Garcia will no longer be the Executive Director of the Board of Nursing. There will be an announcement regarding a new Executive Director in the coming weeks.
Controlled Substance Prescribing by ARNPs- SB 188/ HB 677 by Senator Mike Bennett and Representative Juan Carlos Zapata.
Since the budget/deficit is the main concern this session, committees are moving forward slowly and with careful deliberation over what issues will be taken up in committee. To date, our Controlled Substance SB 188/HB 677 is still not on the agenda for a hearing. It is vital that we continue to write, call or email key legislators to let them know that this bill is a priority for the most cost effective health care in Florida. Contact Representative Nick Thompson, Chair of Health Policy Regulation Committee, and inform him of your support for this bill. If you’ve already contacted Rep. Thompson, don’t hesitate to contact him again.
Contact Representative Nick Thompson:
Representative Nick Thompson (nick.thompson@myfloridahouse.gov) Suite 208; 2120 Main Street, Fort Myers, FL. 33901-3010
Phone: (239) 533-2411 Or: 1301 The Capitol; 402 S. Monroe St., Tallahassee, FL. 32399-1300
Phone: (850) 488-1541
FNPN Rally in Tally:
Over the next few weeks, you will be receiving updated information on the FNPN sponsored Rally in Tally. A high attendance of NPs at the Rally will send a strong message that this bill is important to improve access to health care for Florida’s residents. Whether you are driving on your own, or planning on an FNPN sponsored bus, it is important to register at the FNPN web site so that an accurate count of attendees can be done. A Rally Package will be available to download from the FNPN web site after March 10th. This packet will include general information on the agenda as well as 2010 Talking Points and other support materials and references to help prepare you for your meetings with legislators.
The Women’s League of Voters has just announced its support for nurse practitioners and our controlled substance bill. As this is an influential organization, their advocacy of our bill is an important opportunity and collaboration.
Medical Home
During a recent Senate Health Care Committee meeting, Representative Edward Homan, MD., presented a Medical Home model as one solution for Medicaid reform. The model he presented is based on successful programs in 4 other states. In Rep. Homan’s model, ARNPs are listed as team members under the leadership of physicians. The American Academy of Nurse Practitioners has been successful in promoting nurse practitioners as primary providers eligible for medical home status. Currently, Representative Homan has not received enough votes to move this model forward. If you would like to read Rep. Homan’s Medical Home Model, visit the Senate website link, for PDF Click Here
Bills to watch for Nurse Practitioners First week of session
Sorted by Bill Number
SB 0114
Relating to Nursing
Services/Hospital Aronberg
Nurse Staffing Plans
Nursing Services/Hospital Nurse Staffing Plans [SPSC]; Requires that hospitals establish nurse staffing collaborative councils. Requires the council to produce annual hospital nurse staffing plans. Requires the chief nurse executive to communicate with the council to ensure appropriate implementation of the nurse staffing plan. Requires that the council conduct a semiannual review of said plan. Requires such plan to be reviewed with the nurse personnel and made available to the public, etc. EFFECTIVE DATE: 07/01/2010.
Current Committee of Reference: Health Regulation
10/5/200 SENATE Filed
12/9/2009 SENATE Referred to Health Regulation; Health and Human Services Appropriations
Relating to Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioners Bennett
Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioners [SPSC]; Redefines the term "practitioner" for purposes of the Florida Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act to include advanced registered nurse practitioners. EFFECTIVE DATE: Upon becoming law.
Current Committee of Reference: Health Regulation
10/5/200 SENATE Filed
12/9/2009 SENATE Referred to Health Regulation; Criminal Justice
Relating to Nursing Services Brisé
Nursing Services: Requires hospitals to establish nurse staffing collaborative councils; requires council to produce annual hospital nurse staffing plans; requires chief nurse executive to communicate with council to ensure appropriate implementation of nurse staffing plan; requires council to conduct semiannual review of nurse staffing plan; requires nurse staffing plan to be reviewed with nursing personnel. Effective Date: July 1, 2010
Current Committee of Reference: Health Care Regulation Policy Committee
11/19/200 HOUSE Filed
12/18/2009 HOUSE Referred to Health Care Regulation Policy Committee; Health Care Appropriations Committee; Health & Family Services Policy Council
12/18/2009 HOUSE Now in Health Care Regulation Policy Committee
Relating to Physician Assistants Kreegel
Physician Assistants: Deletes requirements that physician assistants file evidence of certain clinical experience before prescribing or dispensing medication; authorizes electronic submission of physician assistant license applications & other required documentation. Effective Date: July 1, 2010
Current Committee of Reference: Health & Family Services Policy Council
1/5/201 HOUSE Filed
1/20/2010 HOUSE Referred to Health Care Regulation Policy Committee; Health Care Appropriations Committee; Health & Family Services Policy Council
1/20/2010 HOUSE Now in Health Care Regulation Policy Committee
2/22/2010 HOUSE On Committee agenda - Health Care Regulation Policy Committee, 03/01/10, 3:15 pm, 17 H
3/1/2010 HOUSE Favorable with CS by Health Care Regulation Policy Committee; 11 Yeas, 0 Nays
3/2/2010 HOUSE Committee Substituted Text (C1) Filed
3/4/2010 HOUSE Now in Health & Family Services Policy Council
Relating to Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioners Zapata
Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioners: Redefines term "practitioner" for purposes of Florida Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention & Control Act to include advanced registered nurse practitioners. Effective Date: upon becoming a law
Current Committee of Reference: Health Care Regulation Policy Committee
1/15/201 HOUSE Filed
1/28/2010 HOUSE Referred to Health Care Regulation Policy Committee; Policy Council; Health & Family Services Policy Council
1/28/2010 HOUSE Now in Health Care Regulation Policy Committee
Relating to Physician Assistants Jones (D)
Physician Assistants [SPSC]; Deletes requirements that physician assistants file with the Department of Health evidence of having obtained certain clinical experience before prescribing or dispensing medication. Conforms cross-references. EFFECTIVE DATE: 07/01/2010.
Current Committee of Reference: Health Regulation
1/27/201 SENATE Filed
2/3/2010 SENATE Referred to Health Regulation; Health and Human Services Appropriations
S646: GENERAL BILL by Aronberg (Compare H 0373, H 0671, H 1499, S 0804,
Senate 0646: Relating to Pain-management Clinics [SPSC]
Pain-management Clinics [SPSC]; Prohibits a person from owning or operating a pain-management clinic unless he or she is a physician licensed in this state. Requires a physician's license to be clear and active to own or operate a pain-management clinic. Provides that a pain-management clinic may not be owned by or employ a physician who has been disciplined by the Board of Medicine or the Board of Osteopathic Medicine for dependency on drugs or alcohol, etc. EFFECTIVE DATE:
07/01/2010.
11/06/09 SENATE Filed
12/17/09 SENATE Referred to Health Regulation; Criminal Justice; Health and Human Services Appropriations
03/02/10 SENATE Introduced, referred to Health Regulation; Criminal Justice;
Health and Human Services Appropriations -SJ 00048