As we head into 2022, we have seen the practice of medicine and healthcare as a whole become a lightning rod in politics at both the state and federal level. While all political discussion has become extremely polarized, your advocacy team at FCEP has stayed above the fray and avoided getting involved or being used in any partisan fights. This is important because it allows us to remain a well-respected voice for emergency physicians on the many issues that affect our practice in the eyes of members from both parties.

This year, we enter the 2022 legislative session with the same leadership team of Senate President Wilton Simpson, Speaker of the House Chris Sprowls, and of course Governor Ron Desantis in Tallahassee. Session starts earlier this year on January 11 since 2022 is an election year. Although a great deal of the oxygen in Tallahassee is being taken up by redistricting, we have kept our ears open for any issues affecting emergency medicine. See what our priority issues are below.

This year, Emergency Medicine Days will once again be different as we comply with group size restrictions for visits at the state capitol building. We are splitting EM Days 2022 into four parts: two separate trips to the state capitol to advocate for emergency physicians with small groups of FCEP leaders, plus two virtual legislative briefings on our priorities and experiences for all members to attend. We will be in Tallahassee over two consecutive weeks: the last week of January and first week of February, and the legislative briefings will take place in January, right before and after our first visit. Please register for these virtual legislative briefings.

COVID-19 and pandemic-related policies have continued to be a hot topic in Tallahassee both in the legislative halls and in the media. One of our biggest focuses will be to ensure that there is an extension of the COVID-19 related malpractice protections, which are set to expire this spring. We will also work to meet with regulators on the problems we have seen with our state’s current implementation of the surprise medical billing law. Currently, insurers are not acting in good faith and coming to the table for arbitration. This was not the intent of the law passed in 2016, and with the No Surprises Act passing at the federal level last year deferring to each state’s surprise medical billing law, it is very important that we come to a solution that provides both a fair arbitration process for emergency physicians and keeps patients out of the middle with no balance billing.

As always, we will continue to be your voice in Tallahassee with our state officials. The only way we can do this is through our Political Action Committees, and I encourage everyone to give to the PAC so that we can continue to be your well-respected voice to our local leaders. I hope all of you had a happy holiday season and wish a great 2022 to each and every one of you. ■

ON OUR RADAR TO SUPPORT:

SB 7014: COVID-Related Claims Against Health Care Providers by Senate Judiciary: Extends the duration of COVID-19 liability protections through June 1, 2023.

SB 1114 & HB 817: Emergency Medical Care & Treatment to Minors Without Parental Consent by Sen. Bradley & Rep. Massullo: Glitch bill to fix HB 241 (2021): Parents’ Bill of Rights. Removes the requirement that emergency medical treatment provided to a minor without parental consent must be administered in a hospital or college health service, thus allowing emergency care to be administered to a minor outside of an ED without the threat of criminal penalties.

SB 1192 & HB 861: Medical Specialty Designations by Sen. (A) Rodriguez & Rep. Massullo: Prohibits the use of an ACGME specialty title to be used by anyone other than a physician.

ON OUR RADAR TO OPPOSE: 

SB 986 & HB 437: Collaborative Practice of Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists by Sen. Diaz & Rep. Rommel: Grants independent practice and removes medical staff protocols.

SB 560 & HB 6039: Recovery for Wrongful Death by Sen. (A) Rodriguez & Rep. Hinson: Authorizes parents of adult children to recover damages for mental pain and suffering in medical negligence suits.