SB 1354 – relating to Health Care
On Tuesday, April 22nd, SB 1354, by Senator Denise Grimsley (R-Sebring) unanimously passed the Senate Committee on Appropriations. Tammy Perdue, AIF's General counsel, stood in opposition of the bill during the committee, stating concerns that according to the staff analysis it will significantly increase costs to employers and individuals. The bill now heads to the Senate floor.

SB 1354 makes health care more expensive and impedes our mission to provide greater access to quality health care at more affordable costs for employers. 

As this bill now heads to the Senate floor, AIF encourages legislators to have more awareness on this legislative proposal that would create more red tape and higher costs for Florida businesses.

AIF opposes legislation that would make quality health care more expensive for Florida’s residents and employers.

HB 1275 – relating to Physician Assistants
On Tuesday, April 22nd, HB 1275, relating to Physicians Assistants, by Representative Larry Ahern (R-St. Petersburg) passed the House chamber by a 100-19 vote. The bill now heads to the Senate for consideration.

The bill increases the number of physician assistants a physician may supervise from four to eight. An amendment adopted during the committee exempts this increased ratio for dermatologists’ office, which generally requires more hands-on supervision by a physician. An additional amendment added allows a physician to supervise a PA at a site other than their primary office for the provision of specialty skin services if certain training is completed.  Further, the bill would simplify the reporting system for PA’s who work under multiple physicians in hospitals.  Currently, a PA is required to list all of the physicians with whom they work in a report to the Department of Health (DOH).  This bill would require the PA to report to DOH only their primary supervising physician. 

AIF supports access for Floridians to high-paying jobs, such as physician assistant.