Last week, when HB 583 passed through the House Health Regulatory Subcommittee, part of that process REMOVED the word “doctor” from the list of prohibited titles. This means that FL Acupuncturists may continue to use and advertise professional titles that reflect their full education level and training.
Use of the word “physician” and the initials “M.D.” are still prohibited under HB 583, when used, “either alone or in combination, or in connection with other words” to describe or advertise an Acupuncturists’ professional title or degree.
Florida legislators have been reviewing bills SB 230 and HB 583 for several weeks. The last strike-all (edit) to HB 583, on 04/05/2023 removed “doctor” from the list of restricted titles, but the prohibition against using “physician” alone or in combination with other words remains. Meaning, should these bills become new Florida law, effective July 1, 2023, Acupuncturists licensed under ss.457 would be prohibited from using the professional title “acupuncture physician.” This is why we must remain committed to getting an amendment to protect all Acupuncturists’ professional titles.
These bills could go into effect on July 1, 2023!
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FSOMA’s lobbyists are hard at work responding to Legislators’ questions. Finally, the Healthcare Regulations Policy Chief has taken a second look at the actual language in HB 583; and he agrees that without an amendment, HB 583 has a direct and negative impact on Acupuncturists’ use of professional titles. Many positive things are happening that improve Acupuncturists’ position.
REMINDER: HB 583 affects all health care providers working in ANY treatment setting in its present version. If Rep. Massullo and Sen. Harrell only intended HB 583 to apply to practitioners working in hospitals, then why is that detail left out of the bill?
As written HB 583 spills-over affecting every office, clinic, treatment setting in Florida. That is why all the Chiropractors, Nurses, Dentists, Podiatrists, Audiologists, and Optometrists in the State has piggy-backed onto an amendment … they needed the amendments to protect the use of their professional titles, and so do Acupuncturists.
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If HB583 and SB230 are enacted into law, without any changes to the existing language, the remedy to restore the use of our titles that include “doctor” and “physician”, is by revising Chapter 457 (of the Florida Statues) to authorize the use of these titles.
Language to modernize our practice act is in development and will be used to update Chapter 457 in the 2024 session.
This process needs the full support of all Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine stakeholders – schools, faculty, providers, students, patients, and others. We need EVERYONE to be involved in creating the urgency and effect needed to get 40 Senators, and 140 House Representatives to support modernizing several sections of the Acupuncture statute and restoring professional titles.
Our profession and everyone who cares about the future of acupuncture access and practice in Florida needs to be prepared for a multi-year effort to successfully update Chapter 457. This is going to cost our profession an estimated $100,000 a year – about $38-$50/year per license in Florida.
FSOMA is accepting contributions to the Acupuncture PAC – Florida Health Alliance
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Please donate and urge your colleagues and patients to support this worthy effort. If necessary, start with $3-5 monthly recurring – every dollar counts. We thank you for your continued support and trust as FSOMA continues to support you and our profession
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