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Stay Tuned for the FOMA's Final Report:

FOMA 2023 Know the Issues

Mark your calendars for the release of the FOMA's final report, which will be published shortly after the session concludes on May 5, 2023. This comprehensive document will offer a complete analysis of the legislation passed during this session, detailing its impact on the osteopathic profession and outlining any actionable items for our members.

Senator Corey Simon, Senator Dennis Baxley & Steve Winn

The 2023 Legislative Session has now officially surpassed its halfway point, signaling a crucial time for lawmakers working diligently to ensure the success of their legislative priorities. Legislators are entering into negotiations and discussions to advance their proposals as committee meetings wind down. The FOMA continues to closely monitor the unfolding developments in Tallahassee, focusing on amendments as the gamesmanship intensifies. Our legislative team will keep you posted on amendments and shifts in policy as the legislature races toward the finish line.

The following priority bills of interest remain in play or could be amended onto other legislation:

Autonomous Practice by Advanced Practice Registered Nurses – SB 1058 (Rodriguez) & HB 1067 (Giallombardo)

FOMA Opposed 

This legislation deletes the restriction that autonomous APRNs practice only in primary care practice, which would allow any APRN that meets certain education and experience requirements, including certified registered nurse anesthetists, to practice autonomously.

On March 22, the House Healthcare Regulation Committee passed HB 1067, the autonomous practice of advanced practice registered nurses, by a vote of 11 yeas to 5 nays. The bill has one committee stop remaining in the House. SB 1058, the companion measure, has yet to be heard in committee and has three committees of reference. 

Health Care Practitioner Title & Abbreviations – HB 583 (Massullo) & SB 230 (Harrell)

FOMA Supports

This legislation specifies which titles and abbreviations health care practitioners may use for advertisements, communications, and personal identification.  Health care practitioners must disclose specified information and use only authorized titles and abbreviations in their advertisements. 

On March 15, the Senate passed SB 230, sending it to the House for consideration. HB 583 passed its first committee of reference, the Healthcare Regulation Subcommittee. The bill is scheduled to be heard by its final committee, House Health & Human Services, on April 17, 2023.

Interstate-Mobility and Universal-Recognition Occupational Licensing Act  – SB 1364 (Collins) & SB 1333 (Koster)

FOMA Supports

This legislation addresses occupational license portability in the United States by requiring Florida licensing boards that issue occupational licenses or government certifications to individuals under Chapter 456 to issue an occupational license or government certification (universal license) to eligible applicants under certain circumstances (universal licensing requirement). The House and Senate sponsor agreed to file an amendment, addressing our concerns with the legislation.

On April 12, 2023, HB 1333 passed its second committee, the House State Administration & Technology Appropriations Subcommittee. The bill has one committee remaining, the House Commerce Committee. SB 1364 passed its first committee of reference, the Senate Regulated Industries Committee, on March 21, 2023. The bill will be heard by its second committee, Senate Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government, on April 18, 2023.

Department of Health – HB 1387 (Porras) & SB 1506 (Rodriguez)

FOMA Monitoring

This legislation makes numerous changes to programs under the Department of Health (DOH) and healthcare professions regulated by the Division of Medical Quality Assurance within the DOH.  Presently, the FOMA is working with legislators and our legislative partners to resolve concerns relating to brain death certifications and other scope-of-practice concerns.  

HB 1387 passed its final committee of reference and headed to the floor of the House for its consideration. SB 1506 passed its first committee of reference, and the Senate Rules Committee temporarily postponed the bill on April 11, 2023.

Telehealth – HB 267 (Fabricio)/SB 298 (Boyd)

FOMA Supports

These bills revise the definition of “telehealth” to include health care services provided through audio-only means.

On April 12, 2023, HB 267 passed its second committee of reference, the House Health Care Appropriations Subcommittee. HB 267 passed its first two committees, and is scheduled to be heard by its final committee, House Health & Human Services, on April 17, 2023.

The Senate Companion passed its first two committees and has one committee remaining, the Senate Rules Committee. 

The House and Senate bills are identical. 

Physician Certifications for The Medical Use Of Marijuana – SB 344 (Brodeur) & HB 387 (Roach)

FOMA Monitoring

This legislation authorizes qualified physicians conduct patient examinations and evaluations to renew certifications for the medical use of marijuana through Telehealth.

HB 387 passed all committees of reference and is on the calendar of bills on 2nd Reading. The Senate Companion passed its first committee, Senate Health Policy, with two remaining committee stops. 

Prescription Drugs - SB 1550 (Brodeur) & HB 1509 (Chaney)

FOMA Supports

This legislation addresses the transparency of a manufacturer’s prescription drug price increases above certain thresholds. The bills also establish regulations concerning the relationships between pharmacy benefit managers, pharmacy benefits plans and programs, and pharmacy providers for delivering pharmacy services to covered persons. 

SB 1550 passed its final committee, the Senate Fiscal Policy Committee, on April 13, 2023, and will be placed on the House Special Order Calendar next week. HB 1509 passed its first committee and has two committees remaining. This legislation is a priority of Governor DeSantis.  

Medicaid Step Therapy – SB 112 (Harrell) & HB 183 (Gonzalez Pittman)

FOMA Supports

This legislation defines the term “serious mental illness” to include certain conditions contained in the DSM-V.  The bills require the Agency for Health Care Administration to approve drug products for Medicaid recipients for the treatment of serious mental illness without step-therapy prior authorization under certain circumstances.

SB 112 passed its final committee of reference, the Senate Fiscal Policy Committee, on April 13, 2023. The House Companion, HB 183, unanimously passed its second committee, the House Health Care Appropriations Subcommittee, on April 12, 2023. HB 183 has one remaining committee, the House Health & Human Services Committee. 

Health Insurance Cost Sharing – SB 46 (Wright) & HB 1063 (Cross)

FOMA Supports

The legislation requires health insurers and their pharmacy benefit managers to apply payments by or on behalf of insureds toward the total contributions of the insureds’ cost-sharing requirements.

On April 5, 2023, SB 46 unanimously passed its first committee of reference, the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee. SB 46 has two remaining committees. The Companion, HB 1063, has not been heard by any referenced committees. This language may be amended onto the larger pharmacy benefit manager legislative package. 

Protections of Medical Conscience - HB 1403 (Rudman) & SB 1580 (Trumbull)

FOMA Supports



The legislation allows providers and payors to decline any health care service that goes against their religious, moral, or ethical beliefs. They must raise a conscience-based objection at the time of the incident or as soon as possible and document it in the patient's medical record. The legislation prohibits discrimination against health care providers or payors based on conscience-based objections and provides them civil immunity and whistleblower protection. However, it does not give immunity for malpractice claims related to services performed by a health care provider.

HB 1403 passed its final committee of reference, the House Health & Human Services Committee, on April 10, 2023. SB 1580 passed its first committee and has one committee remaining, the Senate Rules Committee. 

Pregnancy and Parenting Support - SB 300 (Grall)

FOMA Monitoring

The bill prohibits abortion after six weeks of gestation unless an exception is met. Current-law exceptions to abortion time frames are maintained, and a new exception is established for cases in which the pregnancy is the result of rape, incest, or human trafficking. This new exception is available under the bill until the 15th week of gestation. 

SB 300 passed both chambers and was singed into law by Governor DeSantis on April 13, 2023.

Bill Tracking Report