Progress for Controlled Substance Authority! CS/SB614!

CS/SB 614 Drug Prescription by Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants

The bill spent much time in committee today, and ultimately passed as favorable! There is only one committee left to pass (Committee on Rules) before heading back to the floor!

Jeff Scott, FMA Attorney Spokesperson denounced the bill as it currently is written. As a representative for the FMA, he states their concern is that "Nurses" lack the knowledge or experience to prescribe controlled substances safely. They also object to the composition of the proposed "board" set to oversee the new policies and regulate the standards. He states that the FMA feel this should be represented by equal numbers of Physicians and Nurse practitioners (Currently proposed to have 3 ARNPs, 2 Physicians and 1 licensed Pharmacist).

It is noteworthy that Mr. Scott continually referred to ARNP's simply as "nurses" leaving out any mention of advanced practice or title designation of APRN or ARNP. During his talk you could see committee members and lawmakers taking some offence to the condescending tone.

In case any of you would like to reach Mr. Jeff Scott- He can be reached at: jscott@flmedical.org or jscott@medone.org or (850) 224-6496 or 

Twitter: @FloridaMedical include your message with #JeffScott!

The committee members in attendance voted as follows:

*Don't forget to reach out and thank those that support our advanced practice by voting "Yes"! ***Don't forget to encourage those who voted "no" to reconsider! (Especially Senator Negron who will be on the next committee as well!)

Senator Rob Bradley (R) –Yes

Twitter: @Rob_Bradley

Senator Gwen Margolis (D) –Yes

Twitter: @GwenMargolis

Senator Aaron Bean (R) –Yes

Twitter: @AaronPBean

Senator Oscar Braynon, II (D) –Yes

Twitter: @OscarJB2

Senator Miguel Diaz de la Portilla (R) –Yes

Twitter: unknown.

Senator Anitere Flores (R) –Yes

Twitter: @Anitere_Flores

Senator Jack Latvala (R) –Yes

Twitter: @JackLatvala

Senator Kelli Stargel (R) –Yes

Twitter: @KelliStargel

Senator Joe Negron (R) –no Tallahassee office: (850) 487-5032

Twitter: @JoeNegronFL

Senator Maria Lorts Sachs (D) –no Tallahassee office: (850) 487-5034

Twitter: @MariaSachs

If you would like to watch the video from today's committee meeting it can be found here: http://www.flsenate.gov/media/videoplayer?EventID=2443575804_2015031527

In your service,

Joseph (Joey) Knoll, Your Legislative Committee