Session Ends, NPs Make Huge Strides.
Posted almost 11 years ago by Stanley F Whittaker
The 2014 Legislative Session ended Friday night at about 10:30 PM. The last few hours were spent with many bills passing back on forth between House and Senate. One of those bills was 7113.
Initially Senator Hays unfortunately introduced an amendment to strip the ARNP language from the bill. The senate approved this amendment on voice vote and sent it back to the house. The House would not cave in and did not accept the bill as amended.
Several attempts were made to negotiate a deal. With regret HB7113 ultimately did not pass the senate. Florida's citizens will again be faced with shortages of providers to meet their health care needs.
Although things did not go as we wanted, we can be very proud about this year's session. In past sessions DEA language was not even scheduled to be heard in any committee in the House or Senate.
This year, not only was DEA language heard in both House and Senate, but the House passed an entire independent practice bill. The Senate also heard a bill in committee by Sen. Grimsley that would recognize NPs as providers in DEA statutes and allow psyche NPs to release a Baker Act. It did not move passed its first committee, but again this was historic.
Also, FLANP lobbyist Chris Floyd was successful in adding ARNPS back into tele-medicine language in the senate. Although the bill did to pass, we did have a strong show of support from many senate members.
We are analyzing all the amendments and especially the Transitional Living Bill. This bill grants NPs the ability to admit, discharge and manage pts in a Transitional Living Facility
Non-Legislative Wins
Although session fell short of our greatest expectations, we are still working on non-legislative ways to improve practice in Florida. This especially includes helping to revise current rules governing practice. Those final rules are due out soon and we anticipate that these rule changes will make practice easier for NPs.
In addition to the rules changes two NPs were appointed to Medical Care Advisory Board sub-committees. Cynthia Alceus, MSN, ARNP, FNP-was appointed to the HIV/AIDS subcommittee and Sherry A Rowe, DNP, FNP was appointed to the Children, Including Safeguards and Performance committee.
These NPs join Stan Whittaker, our board Chair at the Medical Care Advisory Committee in making sure NPs have a place at the states governing table. We need to remember, if we are not at the table we will be on the menu!
As we review all the new legislative changes, we will be sure to update you on anything pertinent to NPs.
Please consider being on the legislative action and PR committee. We will be regrouping and convening to strategize for the 2014-2015 session
FLANP Annual Conference August 8-9, 2014
FLANP is partnering with the Volusia Flagler Advanced Practice Nurse Council to host the Annual Sunshine State Conference.
August 8-9, 2014
Daytona Beach Resort and Conference Center
$75.00 for Members $125.00 for Non-members
Student members are free
11.5 CEUs (pending approval)
Beautiful time share condo resort on Daytona Beach, bring the family
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