Legislative Update: WE STILL NEED YOU TO TAKE ACTION!!

At the conclusion of week 2 of the 2020 Florida Legislative Session, there is much to update on. For a second week, APRNs and APRN students descended upon the Capitol going into every Senate office and meeting with Senators and staff personnel on Tuesday and Wednesday. Rallying Senate support for HB 607 (expected to be up for a full House floor vote), nurses from across Florida walked the halls in their white coats and stethoscopes.

There was a public press conference Wednesday, January 22nd with Representative Cary Pigman (physician from Sebring, FL), the Florida Chamber of Commerce, and the Associated Industries of Florida. Flanked by over 30 nurses during the Florida Nurses Association Advocacy Days, Rep. Pigman gave an impassioned speech about the need to modernize Florida’s health care statutes to improve access to care, lower cost of care, and remove unnecessary and outdated regulatory burdens for APRN practice. The House Speaker Jose Oliva was unable to attend but sent forward his supportive remarks (read aloud by Rep. Pigman) committing unwavering support to HB 607 and to full practice authority for APRNs. The false arguments against allowing APRNs to practice to the full extent of their education and licensure were shredded in the press conference and HB 607 is gaining steam as it is set to be heard in the House Health and Human Service Committee next week. Once the bill leaves that committee, it will be up for a full vote in the House.

This is an exciting year and the media support been overwhelming. With print, radio and TV media blanketing the state in support for APRN full practice authority Sachs Media is putting to great use the FLANP donations. Please continue to donate whatever you can spare to the FLANP media campaign and register to visit the Capitol on Tuesdays and Wednesdays throughout the Session. Thanks for your continued support and we will keep pushing strongly to make this a historic year for APRNs.

Here are some things we are asking you to do to help:

1. Register and Join us at the Capitol!  Visit our Take Action Page for full details and information of when & where to meet.  We would love to see you there with us!!
2. Donate to our media fund.  We are a still little over half way to our $30,000 goal.  Donations have slowed down some, but we are not done yet!!  We need your help, every donation no matter the size gets us closer to our goal.
3. Send Emails and Letters to your Local Representatives supporting HB 607. Here is a template and a list of Representatives to contact.  Make sure to put "SUPPORT HB 607" in the subject line of your emails.
4. Talk to other APRN's about what they can do to help!!  Share our message with them and encourage them to get involved!  Every new member that joins FLANP this month will have their annual dues put towards our media campaign...what a great way to help!!  So far new members have contributed $3,600 to our media campaign just by joining in December & January!
5. Share the newest website created by a corporate partner coalition for APRN scope of practice and HB 607 with everyone!  www.FloridiansUniteForHealthcare.com

Again, thank you for your continued support and we will keep pushing strongly to make this a historic year for APRNs.  TOGETHER WE WILL BE VICTORIOUS!!