Mon 3/18/2024 8:04 PM

FOA Victorious Again!!! 2 years in a row we defeated anti-optometry bills.

FOA once again defeated anti-optometry language in the form of Senate Bill 1112 by Harrell.

SB 1112 clearly targeted Florida Optometry and was pushed as priority legislation by Senate President Kathleen Passidomo and the sponsor of the bill- Senator Gayle Harrell.  For those of you that missed it, please read Senator Passidomo’s negative comments below:

“Senate President Kathleen Passidomo remains adamant that optometrists shouldn't be able to advertise themselves as doctors but says if her priority legislation (SB 1112) doesn’t pass “she’s not going to lose sleep over it.”

Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoed Passidomo’s 2023 bill she muscled through the reluctant House which is why the Legislature once again is addressing the issue.

And once again the House is reluctant to do what Passsidomo wants.

“This is a continuation of the 'eyeball wars,’” Passidomo told reporters Tuesday afternoon. “And the optometrists objected to the bill last year. We passed it; it was vetoed. They lobbied hard. They are wrong.”

Source: Diagnosis for 3.6.24: Checking the pulse of Florida health care news and policy

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SB 1112 was passed out of the Senate by ultimately defeated when the Florida House of Representatives voted and supported Rep. Dr. Ralph Massullo’s version of the bill, HB 1295.

HB 1295 respected optometry in that it included important titles for Florida optometrists’ such as “Doctor and Physician” and preserved other titles such as “Board Certified, ABO certified and Specialist.”   

FOA applauds Governor Ron DeSantis, Rep Dr. Ralph Massullo and the Florida House of Representatives for standing strong for Florida Optometry.   

Please support FOA and OD-EYEPAC.

Sincerely,

Kenneth W. Lawson, O.D.