HB 389 – Relating to Practice of Pharmacy

On Wednesday, March 11, HB 389 by Representative Tyler Sirois (R-Merritt Island) was read a third time on the Senate floor and passed with 28 yeas and 12 nays. The Senate amended the bill on second reading; the House concurred and passed the bill with 98 yeas and 17 nays.

Pharmacy is the third largest health profession behind nursing and medicine and the Board of Pharmacy, in conjunction with the Department of Health, regulates the practice of pharmacists and pharmacies.

The bill amends the definition of the “practice of the profession of pharmacy” to include the testing for and treatment of minor, nonchronic health conditions such as the flu.

HB 389 was signed into law by the Governor.

AIF supports increased access to care which keeps healthcare and insurance costs low for businesses while providing a healthy workforce.

 

HB 607 – Relating to Health Care Practitioners

On Wednesday, March 11, HB 607 by Representative Cary Pigman (R-Sebring) was a read a third time on the Senate floor and passed with 30 yeas and 10 nays. The Senate amended the bill on second reading; the House concurred and passed the bill with 107 yeas and 8 nays.

The U.S. has a current health care provider shortage. This shortage is predicted to continue into the foreseeable future and will likely worsen with the aging and growth of the U.S. population and ongoing efforts to expand access. Florida law requires advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) to practice under a supervising protocol with a physician and only to the extent that a written protocol allows. Similarly, physician assistants (PAs) must practice under a supervising physician and may only perform those tasks delegated by the physician.

The bill authorizes APRNs who meet certain criteria to practice advanced or specialized nursing without physician supervision or a protocol and authorizes PAs to practice primary care without physician supervision. These APRNs and PAs may act as a patient’s primary care provider; provide a signature, certification, stamp, verification, affidavit, or other endorsement currently required to be provided by a physician; certify a cause of death and sign, correct, and file death certificates.

HB 607 was signed into law by the Governor.

AIF supports legislative efforts that expand access to healthcare for employers and keep healthcare costs low for Florida businesses.