Connect with us

Politics

‘Eyeball wars’ continue with Alex Rizo setting his sights on optometrists’ scope of practice, advertised titles

Published

on


The “eyeball wars” between ophthalmologists and optometrists will flare up again this year after Rep. Alex Rizo filed new legislation (HB 449).

Opposed by ophthalmologists, the measure again seeks to allow optometrists in advertisements to call themselves a Doctor of Optometry (O.D.) or an “optometric physician,” despite significant differences in medical training and education.

Ophthalmologists complete medical school and a required residency, which typically represents a decade or more of medical training and more than 17,000 hours of patient contact training before such medical doctors are permitted to practice on their own. By contrast, optometrists complete a four-year course in optometry, and not all of the programs require a college degree. The training does not include a residency nor surgical training.

Rizo’s bill would, among other provisions, allow optometrists to advertise themselves as an optometrist, licensed optometrist, a doctor of optometry, optometric physician, board certified optometrist, American Board of Optometry certified, a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry, a Fellow of the College of Optometrists in Vision Development, residency-trained, or a diplomate of the American Board of Optometry.

It also includes revisions to existing law that would broaden an optometrist’s scope of practice to include additional surgical procedures and prescribing authority.

Ophthalmologists and their advocacy groups, as they have in past years, oppose the measure, arguing it is dangerous and unnecessary and that it would lead patients to assume optometrists are on the same level as ophthalmologists, despite lesser medical and academic training.

Opposition groups point to peer-reviewed medical research published in the Journal of the American Medical Association showing increased incidence of necessary follow-up surgery when procedures are performed by an optometrist rather than an ophthalmologist. That includes a 189% increased risk of additional necessary treatments following laser treatments performed by optometrists compared to the same laser treatment performed by an ophthalmologist.

Optometrists, meanwhile, argue the scope of practice legislation is needed to expand access to eye care by increasing the number of practitioners available. But ophthalmologists argue that most Floridians live within a 30-minute drive to an ophthalmologist, and that there is currently no backlog of patients seeking ophthalmologic care in the state.

Rizo has fired back against critics.

“What exactly this bill does (is make it so) you don’t have to go to an ophthalmologist, necessarily, if there’s a condition that calls for this particular procedure or pain medication,” he previously told Florida Politics. “No surgery, nothing like that. It’s basically an advanced first-aid procedure to release inter-corneal pressure.”

Rizo carried a similar bill in 2021, but it and its Senate analogue died before reaching a floor vote.

The “eyeball wars” date back years, at least to Sen. Don Gaetz’s reign as Senate President, a leadership role he held from 2012 until 2014.

Gaetz coined the term “eyeball wars” and in 2013, he believed he resolved the turf war between ophthalmologists and optometrists. The two sides settled on a compromise allowing optometrists to prescribe oral medications, but not to perform surgery.

But the fight resurfaced a few years later.

A similar bill to this year’s effort (SB 1112) died last Session after a failure to reconcile between the House and the Senate. Then-Senate President Kathleen Passidomo, whose father was an ophthalmologist, filed priority legislation that would have blocked the use of the term doctor or physician in certain circumstances, including for optometrists.

The House amended the bill to allow optometrists to use the terms in advertisements. Passidomo had been successful in ushering the measure through (2023’s SB 230), but Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoed it. Rizo voted that year against efforts to allow optometrists to refer to themselves as doctors of optometry.

Rizo filed this year’s bill on Feb. 6. It’s been referred to two committees: the Health Professions and Programs Subcommittee and the Health and Human Services Committee. It’s awaiting its first hearing in Health Professions and Programs.

A Senate companion has not yet been filed.

If passed and signed by the Governor, the measure would take effect July 1.


Post Views: 0



Source link

Continue Reading

Politics

AARP Florida urges lawmakers to support HB 223 – electronic monitoring devices in long-term care facilities

Published

on


Electronic monitoring devices would not only deter potential abuse but also protect caregivers from false accusations.

Protecting the rights and safety of our most vulnerable citizens—our seniors and individuals with disabilities residing in nursing homes and assisted living facilities—should be a priority for all of us. That’s why AARP Florida strongly supports legislation allowing residents to install electronic monitoring devices in their rooms at their own expense.

Far too often, concerns about abuse, neglect or mistreatment arise in long-term care settings, yet without clear evidence, families are left in the dark, and law enforcement faces challenges in proving or disproving allegations. A simple, cost-effective solution is to give residents the right to install electronic monitoring devices, providing peace of mind for families and a critical tool for law enforcement to investigate incidents fairly and accurately.

Electronic monitoring devices would not only deter potential abuse but also protect caregivers from false accusations. Transparency benefits everyone. If a resident or their family wants this added layer of security, they should have the right to make that decision.

This legislation is about accountability, safety, and ensuring that every person in long-term care is treated with dignity and respect. AARP Florida urges lawmakers to support this common-sense measure that prioritizes resident well-being while strengthening protections for both residents and staff.

___

Zayne Smith is senior director of Advocacy for AARP Florida, overseeing advocacy efforts across various issues. She has represented AARP Florida in several coalitions and task forces, including the Working Interdisciplinary Network of Guardianship Stakeholders and the Florida Don’t Text & Drive Coalition. The News Service of Florida honored her with the 2023 Above & Beyond Award, and she is a member of Leadership Florida Cornerstone Class 42.


Post Views: 0



Source link

Continue Reading

Politics

From Space Coast to west coast, 7 businesses busted for illegal gaming operations

Published

on


Florida Gaming Control Commission agents nailed illegal gaming activity at seven convenience stores across the state in the past week.

The investigations ended with charges of possession of slot machines and keeping a gambling house filed against the store’s owners and managers. The busts stretched from Florida’s Space Coast to the west coast.

Two of the crackdowns took place in Brevard County. A Sunoco gas and convenience store on Eau Gallie Boulevard in Indian Harbour Beach was raided by investigators who seized three illegal gambling machines and $5,665 in cash. The store manager was issued a notice to appear in court for charges of possession of slot machines and keeping a gambling house.

The Mobil gas and convenience on Jimmy Buffett Memorial Highway, also in Indian Harbour Beach, was targeted by investigators who found five illegal gambling machines, with similar charges awaiting the manager in a notice to appear.

There was another illegal gambling raid in Holly Hill, just north of the Space Coast in Volusia County. Four illegal gambling machines were seized at the Speedy Mart on Center Avenue, and the owner of that business was issued a notice to appear.

Two stores in Tampa were also busted for illegal gambling activity. A BP gas station on North Nebraska Avenue had six illegal gambling machines seized, while the Los Amigos Grocery and Meats store on Stuart Street had 13 illegal gambling machines confiscated. Notices to appear were served to managers of both of those stores.

Perry, in Florida’s Big Bend area, was the site of two more busts by illegal gambling investigators. The Perry Fast Mart on South Jefferson Street saw three illegal gambling machines confiscated. Katie’s Kountry Korner on Beach Road in Perry was the scene of another crackdown, where one illegal gambling machine was seized. Notices to appear in court were filed against the manager or owner of both of those stores.

“Standalone illegal casinos aren’t the only ones offering illegal slot machine gaming in this state,” said Florida Gaming Control Commission Acting Executive Director Ross Marshman. “Business franchisees, owners, and managers need to be aware of the law. If someone approaches your legitimate business with an opportunity to make more money that seems too good to be true, it probably is. These illegal schemes will result in criminal charges and hurt the business you worked hard to build.”

That sweep of illegal gambling establishments comes on top of another operation by state investigators recently. Similar busts were executed in Tavares in Central Florida as well.


Post Views: 0



Source link

Continue Reading

Politics

Gov. DeSantis appoints Shevaun Harris and Taylor Hatch to new roles

Published

on


Gov. Ron DeSantis has announced new appointments in two key state agencies, the latest update in what’s been a series of promotions and job changes among Florida officials.

Department of Children and Families (DCF) Secretary Shevaun Harris is moving to become the Secretary of the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA), DeSantis said. Harris previously served 15 years at AHCA, including as Acting Secretary.

To fill Harris’ position leading DCF, Taylor Hatch, the Secretary of Florida’s Agency for Persons with Disabilities, will take over.

“Both Secretaries Harris and Hatch have been doing a phenomenal job serving the people of Florida in their respective roles, and I know each of them will contribute significantly to their new positions,” DeSantis wrote on Facebook. “Thank you, Shevaun and Taylor, and congratulations!”

The chain of events began when DeSantis named Jason Weida, the previous head of AHCA, to be his new Chief of Staff earlier this month.

James Uthmeier, a longtime DeSantis ally who was previously the Chief of Staff, was sworn in as the next Attorney General to replace Ashley Moody who headed to Washington as a U.S. Senator.

“Harris began her career as a social worker, which led to her true passion — policy and administration in the field of health and human services,” according to her agency bio. “She spent nearly two decades at the Agency for Health Care Administration where she excelled and served in key roles, including Acting Secretary. The majority of her tenure at AHCA was focused on the administration of the multi-billion dollar Florida Medicaid program, impacting millions of Floridians through implementation of sound policy and quality improvement efforts.”

Hatch’s background included working as the Director of Legislative Affairs for the Department of Management Services, the state’s real estate manager, and director of workforce services at the Department of Economic Opportunity.


Post Views: 0



Source link

Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © Miami Select.