By Carmel J. Barrau, MD
As physicians we have the responsibility and the obligation to look for the best quality of service to our patients. We are entitled to ask and protect the sacrosanct relation between patients and physicians.
One way to accomplish these goals is trying to be part of the solution when circumstances are negatively affecting those goals. It is through advocacy that physicians can educate and send out the message to the community, policy makers and elected officials on how we can achieve better outcomes with the correct actions.
During the 2nd week of the Florida Regular Legislative Session (January 16-18, 2024) a delegation of physicians from Dade County Medical Association (DCMA) went to Tallahassee to advocate on behalf of physicians in Miami-Dade. A total of 12 physicians carried out 25 meetings with senators, representatives, and legislative aides to educate them regarding some of the issues that were part of the legislative priorities of the DCMA. The priorities are as follows:
- Autonomous Practice by a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists – SB 810 by Ingoglia & HB 257 by Giallombardo – Oppose
- Health Services: ID Card & Dispute Resolution – SB 584 by Harrell & HB 659 by Abbott – Support
- Health Care Services – HB 1475 by Berfield & SB 1574 by Jones – Support
However, there were other issues that were attended during our visit such as: HB 1549 by Rep. Grant & SB 7016/7018 by Health Policy – Live Healthy; Budget Request: Physician Medicaid to Medicare Rate Increase; SB 362 by Bradley & HB 161 by Daley – Medical Treatment in Workers’ Compensation; SB 248, SB 310 & SB 442 – HB 77 & HB 129 – Damages Recoverable in Wrongful Death Actions; SB 458 by Brodeur & HB 11 by Rudman – Restrictive Covenants, among other issues that popped up during our visit.
This is why it is so important to be part of the DCMA and to participate in the annual Fly-In to Tallahassee. It is the way to be part of the solution, being at the right place at the right time. Having said that, it is with great pleasure that we (DCMA) helped to temporarily postpone two scope of practice expansion bills – nurse anesthetist (HB 257) and psychiatric nurses (HB 771). Nonetheless, we know that they are going to be filed again next year.
That is why we need all physicians (employed and private practice) to get together through organized medicine to fight against all attempts to destroy the relation between physicians and patients or moreover, lower the quality of service patients are receiving.
The ball is in your court. We can either be “at the table” as a guest of honor, or be “on the table” as an item on the menu. The choice is ours to make. JOIN THE DCMA!
Dr. Carmel Barrau is President, Dade County Medical Association, Inc.
