Advocacy
FPMA Advocacy Resources
The 2025 Florida Legislative Session Began on Tuesday, March 4, 2025
and will end on Friday, May 2, 2025
To access an update on the State of Florida's 2025 Legislative Session and current legislation moving through both the House and Senate (as of week #4), click HERE. Thanks to Ballard Partners for providing this information for FPMA members.
FPMA Delegation Attends 2025 Legislative Day on the Hill
Ten FPMA delegates and two BUSPM students participated in this year’s Legislative Day on the Hill, which took place February 18, 2025 at the Florida State Capitol. FPMA CEO Karen Lambert and FPMA Lobbyists Chris Hansen and Jason Winn accompanied the group.
FPMA Delegation members included:
Dr. Bill Beaton
Dr. Tim Miller
Dr. Dariya Peretta
Dr. Diana Rogers
Dr. Larissa Schmidt
Dr. David Schweibish
Dr. Liana Seldin
Dr. Adriana Strimbu
Dr. Andre Williams
Dr. Alissa Zdancewicz
BUSPM Students: Cassandra St. Louis and Maria Torrealba
On Tuesday, February 18, the day began with a delegation breakfast in a caucus room located in the Senate Office Building. A legislative briefing care of Lobbyists Hansen and Winn was provided concerning key priorities. Advocacy efforts included the FRAME (Florida Reimbursement Assistance for Medical Education) Program. A small contingent of FPMA delegates later met with Senator Kathleen Passidomo, the original architect of the FRAME Bill, to discuss the inclusion of podiatrists in the program.
Delegates assisted in setting up a foot exam station in the Senate Capitol area. FPMA podiatric displays and flags were set up and podiatric flyers and giveaway items were provided for attendees.
Delegation members attended a fundraiser for Rep. Gallop Franklin at the Florida Retail Federation. The delegation also attended a Health Policy Committee meeting, during which Chair Senator Colleen Burton recognized the presence of the FPMA delegation.
In addition to group events, delegation members held individual meetings with various representatives to further discuss FPMA priorities.
The day ended with a “High Heel Caucus” (female legislators) reception in the Ballard Partners office. The reception was followed by a delegation dinner at Bella Bella restaurant, where delegates were joined by Rep. Danny Nix.
The 2025 Legislative Day on the Hill served as a significant step in strengthening FPMA’s relationships with key policymakers and advancing FPMA’s efforts for inclusion in the FRAME Program.
Developing relationships early with a candidate or incumbent through a meet and greet can be a real help in influencing future public policy decisions. Since a strong personal relationship with policymakers is essential to successful grassroots advocacy, this forum remains an effective tool in building long-term relationships. In addition, a platform such as FPMA's Meet the Candidates Forum can help participants evaluate candidates for elective office as well as serve as an opportunity for candidates to deliver their political messages, policy positions, and increase their visibility.
This event was held in conjunction with the FPMA Fall Board Meeting September 13 - 14, 2024 in Tampa, Florida.
FPMA Key Legislative Contacts
| If you are interested in becoming an FPMA Key Legislative Contact, please email the FPMA Governmental & Legislative Affairs committee co-chair, Dr. Andre Williams, at importantinfo@fpma.com or call FPMA CEO/Executive Director Karen Lambert directly at 850.224.4085. |
The Florida Podiatry Political Committee (FPPC) is the Florida state recognized independent arm of FPMA, created to provide financial support to bipartisan candidates for the Florida House and Senate. These officials decide how Podiatric Medicine is practiced in Florida. To find out more about Florida Podiatry PC, click here.
FPPC Legislative Goals
- Continue to protect the current Podiatry Practice Act - F.S. 461
- Support "Any Willing Provider" legislation and sponsors
- Explore legislative support for "Physician Payment Parity" bill
- Lobbying defense against adverse practice legislation
- Provide campaign assistance to ProPodiatry legislators
The Florida Podiatry PC created a Podiatric Fact Sheet, which is supplied to all of the candidates FPMA supports so when they are faced with medical legislation, Florida Podiatry will be included. Click here to access the Florida Podiatry PC Fact Sheet.
FPPC Victories
- Expanded Practice act for surgery to the tibial tubercle and defeated legislation reducing practice scope to "Foot and Ankle"
- Changed Florida Statutes from Podiatry to Podiatric Physician
- Insurance Statutes - Direct Podiatry access without referral
- Successfully kept Podiatrists included in the Medicaid budget
- 90% success rate in electing PAC supported candidates
How You Can Contribute to FPPC
FPPC protects your practice rights and is involved in:
- Legislative Advocacy
- Insurance Advocacy
- Regulatory Advocacy
- Legislator DPM Education
- Podiatry Statute Defense
There are now four ways you can make a contribution to FPPC:
- FPMA members can include a contribution to FPPC when they are making their annual dues payment (a voluntary contribution amount of $125.00 is listed on the dues invoice and can be included with the dues payment).
- Text "podiatrypac" to (800) 500-5858.
- Donate online by clicking HERE.
- Donate by scanning the following QR code.
| State of Florida Advocacy Links |  |
FPMA Office Visit Request Sample Letter
Online Sunshine (Official Internet Site of the Florida Legislature)
List of Florida Senators (by County)
List of Representatives of the Florida House (by County)
| APMA Advocacy Resources |  |
The American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) Legislative Advocacy department and Legislative Committee provide members with current information about federal legislative issues. Click on the links below for more information.
APMA Federal Advocacy Information
The APMA State Advocacy program area was established to assist APMA state components and members in their legislative efforts as well as to advance the priorities of Podiatric Medicine through legal and regulatory advocacy. Check out the links below for more information on APMA state advocacy.
APMA State Advocacy Information