Regulatory Boards Monitored by FMA
The FMA monitors the activities of each of the 33 regulatory board or councils of the Department of Health, paying especially close attention to the Boards of Nursing, Chiropractic Medicine, Dentistry, Medicine, Optometry, Osteopathic Medicine, Pharmacy, Podiatric Medicine, and Psychology. When necessary, the FMA vocally supports or opposes certain issues that come before these boards. Click here to see a report of the most recent issues monitored by Jennifer Forshey, Esq, FMA Regulatory Affairs Counsel.

Supreme Court Upholds Patients' Right to Know about Medical Errors
Overturning decades of "peer review" records, the state Supreme Court on Thursday fully upheld a constitutional amendment that gives Floridians the right to know about doctors' and hospitals' mistakes. Read more here.

'Perfect Storm' Threatens Florida Health Care
Florida faces a "perfect storm" of adverse conditions that could severely limit access to health care within the next decade, warns Dr. Karl M. Altenburger, president of the Florida Medical Association. Read more here.

Florida Emergency Rooms Can't Find Enough Doctors
There is a critical shortage of specialists in Florida willing to take call in emergency rooms.
Emergency doctors say the problem will only get worse. Read more here.

The FMA's Managed Care Bill (SB 1012) is Up in the Senate Commerce Committee Next Tuesday, March 11th.
SB 1012 addresses several of the unfair business practices and tactics used by managed care organizations to reduce and delay physician reimbursement. The bill requires managed care companies to accept a valid assignment of benefits and pay physicians directly; reduce the "look back" period where managed care companies can demand repayment from 30 months to 12 months; and prohibit the use of "silent PPOs." Collectively, these measures will allow physicians and their staff to spend less time on paper work and more time on patient care by reducing the administrative hassles that physicians face every day from the managed care industry. SB 1012 will help correct the imbalance of power that exists between physicians and the insurance industry. This bill does NOT have a negative fiscal impact on the State of Florida. To learn more about SB 1012, click here.

Brevard County in Danger of Doctor Shortage
Slightly more than 10 percent of Brevard County physicians plan to leave medicine or significantly reduce their practices by 2012, according to a study by researchers at the Florida State University College of Medicine. Read more here.

2008 International Child Health Forum (CME Available)
Monday, May 5, 2008
Miniaci Center for Performing Arts
Nova Southeastern University - Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Click here for more information and to register for this event.

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