Advocacy
New Legislation Impacting Podiatry
- Find out about House Bill 241 ("Parents' Bill of Rights"), which was signed by Governor DeSantis on June 29, 2021 and took effect on July 1, 2021, by clicking HERE.
- Find out about other new legislation via the Florida Board of Podiatric Medicine website by clicking HERE
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| FPMA Treasurer Dr. Larissa Schmidt (left) met with Representative Daisy Morales on June 30, 2021. |
On May 12, 2021, the American Podiatric Medical Association hosted a Virtual Legislative Conference providing attendees (members of Florida Podiatric Medical Association’s Governmental & Legislative Committee and PAC Committee) an opportunity to interface directly with members and staff of the U.S. Congress via Zoom. To access a recap of this event, click HERE.
| If you are interested in becoming an FPMA Key Legislative Contact, please email the FPMA Governmental & Legislative Affairs committee co-chairs, Drs. Terence McDonald or Andre Williams, at importantinfo@fpma.com or call FPMA Executive Director Karen Lambert directly at 850.224.4085. |
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| FPMA Lobbyist Chris Hansen (left) and Representative Spencer Roach |
FPMA 2021 Legislative Tracking
FPMA Legislative Alert: Optional Services Restored (4/20/21)
Passage of FPMA 2021 Legislation:
On Thursday, April 8, 2021, Florida Podiatric Medical Association’s pro-Podiatry legislation, sponsored in the Florida House of Representatives by Representative Melony Bell (HB 17) and in the Florida Senate by Senator Ed Hooper (SB 170), made its final committee stop in the Senate, where it met with a vote of 40 Yeas and 0 Nays.
The legislation, which included the key elements identified below, now moves to Governor DeSantis’ desk for his signature.
Key Elements of the FPMA 2021 Legislation:
- Creation of a section of law in F.S. 461 dealing with the acts and duties of podiatric assistants.
- Modified the requirement for instruction on controlled substances prescribing.
- Included the practice of Podiatry to direct health care agreements.
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The Florida Podiatric Medical Association profusely thanks our sponsors, FPMA members, and the FPMA lobbying team
for all of their efforts, which led to this success.
- View the Florida Senate Rules Committee meeting concerning SB 170, which took place on March 25, 2021, by clicking HERE. The Bill reported favorably, with 17 YEAS, 0 NAYS.
- View the Florida Senate Appropriations Committee meeting concerning SB 170, which took place on March 18, 2021, by clicking HERE. The Bill reported favorably, with 20 YEAS, 0 NAYS.
- View the Florida House Health and Human Services Committee meeting concerning HB 17, which took place on March 9, 2021, by clicking HERE. The Bill reported favorably, with 19 YEAS, 0 NAYS.
- View the Florida Senate Committee on Education meeting concerning SB 170, which took place on March 2, 2021, by clicking HERE. Note that the committee agenda, accessible by clicking HERE, listed SB 170 as the first item.
- View the Committee Hearing concerning SB 170, which took place on January 27, 2021, by clicking HERE.
- FPMA's pro-podiatry legislation has now been filed in both the Florida House and Senate. Here are the details:
- The sponsor in the House is Representative Melony Bell. The House bill # is HB 17.
- The sponsor in the Senate is Senator Ed Hooper. The Senate bill # is SB 170.
FPMA Advocacy Resources
The Florida Podiatry Political Committee is the state-recognized independent arm of the Florida Podiatry profession, created to provide financial election support to bipartisan candidates for the Florida House and Senate. Since elected officials decide how Podiatric Medicine is practiced in Florida, one of the goals of the Florida Podiatry Political Committee is to be sure that those legislators are cognizant of the full scope of education, training, and experience of Podiatric Physicians practicing in the State of Florida.
The Florida Podiatry Political Committee 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 Political Committee Fact Sheet.
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)
Putting Podiatry 1st Campaign (August - October 2017)
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
Information About Grassroots Advocacy