On The Last Day Of The 2014 Legislative Session...

On this last day of the 2014 Florida legislative session, the FNPN Legislative team and our Board of Directors would like to thank you - our members-  for the strong and powerful voice you had in Tallahassee and around the state. We have been able to move the most substantial bill we have ever had in more than 27 years (last was 1987 prescriptive authority under protocol) thanks to your efforts. We helped support other 2014 bills that were good legislation and we lobbied against some bad bills for Florida too. We will provide a final summary of the good and the bad bill outcomes soon.

Now we must begin our efforts to work on summer and fall legislative campaigns. We ask you to help us in this direction by using your leadership and talent to help us develop a program that will ensure NPs can continue to thrive. We want to make our presence and voices powerful across all Florida. One NP at a time!

Facts & Praises: This was the most amazing effort by Florida NPs ever! Much credit goes to Rep. Cary Pigman and Senator Denise Grimsley who stood by us and of course the work by our Lobbyist, Allison Carvajal, who was awesome and kept us on the forefront with the legislators. Special thanks to AANP and especially Dr. Tay Kopanos, Vice President, Health Policy, State Government Affairs for AANP for coming to help us by testifying in Tallahassee and supplying legislators and other stakeholders with timely facts and information. While the Workforce NP bill was ambitious -our dream bill- and the the amendment of the Trauma Hospital bill as a  "Train" was simply ingenious, we made news and turned heads - finally. Perhaps we scared the heck out of the Nay Sayers and our opponents. Let's keep the momentum alive. FNPN promises to keep you informed and involved.

If you are with us in this venture, please reply to our survey and help us develop a strong advocacy group. You can be as involved as you want to be, but you must take some time aside to support your profession. We cannot do this alone-you are vital to our success. Your opinions count, don't let others speak for you! Do not tolerate the negativism by opponents, instead educate others and be exemplary role models for NPs!

As Dr. Loretta Ford say's, "Crisis, it's a terrible thing to waste!" We know the problems that the huge number of Floridians who are seeking health care as newly insured under the ACA & Medicaid will create – there will be a primary care provider shortage unlike anything we have ever experienced. Floridians will be harmed and delay of care certain. Your patients deserve better.

Our Future Depends on YOU! Thank You, Colleagues and Friends! Continue to Believe!
Florida NPs are Awesome!