Legislative Update Week of January 11, 2010

By Anna Small

Legislative Counsel

This week was the first committee week of the New Year. There was little movement on actual bills and some health care committees did not even meet. Overall there is deep concern regarding the state of the budget which has a projected 3 billion dollar deficit of which 1.8 billion is a Medicaid.

Controlled Substance Prescribing by ARNPs- SB 188/ HB 677 by Senator Mike_ _Bennett and Representative Juan Carlos Zapata_.* The bill has now been filed in both the House and Senate, so the next challenge is to get it placed on the agenda of the committees to which it has been referred. We understand that Representative Nick Thompson, Chair of Health Policy Regulation Committee has decided not to hear any scope of practice bills. We need your help to change his mind. Please contact his office today to tell him how important it is for him to place HB 677 on the agenda in his committee. If you live in his district, be sure to tell him that too.

Representative Nick Thompson

nick.thompson@myfloridahouse.gov

Suite 208

2120 Main Street

Fort Myers, FL

33901-3010

Phone: (239) 533-2411

and

1301 The Capitol

402 S. Monroe St.

Tallahassee, FL

32399-1300

Phone: (850) 488-1541

Don't be afraid to contact Representative Thompson more than once, or through more than one method. If you live in his district, ask for an appointment when he is in the district so you can express your concerns to him personally.