LCMSA Legislation
"Good Medicine For Us All"
Throughout the year, LCMSA member - Betty Rubenstein - will keep you up to date with legislative activity. Why is legislative activity important? Being a part of the medical family, we are affected by every piece of legislation concerning medicine. It governs how our physician spouses may treat their patients, how they are paid for their efforts and - like everyone else, the way we are treated as healthcare consumers.
In this election year, 2002, we must work together to elect legislators who are friends of medicine. To do this, we encourage your support by contributing money to their campaigns, distributing literature, voting for them (and getting others to vote for them), and attending (or hosting) a fundraiser. Help us increase public awareness of the really important issues, especially Tort Reform ( H.E.A.L.T.H. Act 2002, bill HR 4600); and Medicare Legislation (Medicare Modernization...bill HR 4954). To learn more or to contact your members of Congress directly, visit the AMA Grassroots Action Center http://capwiz.com/ama/home. Tell all of them to support these bills, and add "This is a big step in the right direction - to ensure that quality medical care in the hands of quality physicians will not remain in peril for Floridians and all Americans."
In the past legislative session, our Florida Medical Association and Lee County Medical Society, together with the Alliance, helped pass or defeat many pieces of legislation that directly affected us. The following list includes some of the numerous accomplishments the House of Medicine provided the physicians and patients of Florida:
Scope of Practice Issue - Defeated Again
The FMA and the various specialty societies have once again defeated all legislation expanding the scope of practice of all allied health professionals.Prompt Pay / Downcoding - Approved
Legislation that ensures HMO's are held accountable in their business relationships with physicians, ensures timely payments, and provides a means to appeal adverse HMO decisions was sent to the Governor for final approval. Physicians will finally have a mechanism to more adequately deal with managed care companies.Hospitalists - Sent to the Governor
Legislation that ensures HMOs from mandating the use of hospitalists by their subscribers has passed the Legislature and now goes to the Governor for final approval.$23 Million Increase - Approved
The FMA is pleased to report that the Florida Legislature agreed on a $23 million increase for Medicaid Physician Reimbursement across-the-board to all specialties. This is the first across-the-board increase for physicians in Medicaid Reimbursement in over 10 years.1.5% Tax Reduction - Passed
Legislation repealing a portion of the 1.5% tax on net operation revenues for physician office practices -providing clinical laboratory and diagnostic imaging services- has passed the Legislature. The PMATF tax will now be reduced to 1.0 % and will save Florida physicians who pay the tax over $8 million.
FLAMPAC/1000 CLUB REPORT
Two ways YOU Can Help...
One easy way to take the initiative is by becoming a member of FLAMPAC - the Florida Medical Political Action Committee, created by the FMA in 1949. Today, we are 4000 members strong, but more are needed, MORE THAN EVER!
The FLAMPAC Board consists of physicians from all over the state, including our very own Dr. Steve West! They do the work for us! Through careful study, they determine medicine-friendly political candidates and recommend their candidates to the FMA for endorsement and support. Each candidate is then given up to the $500.00 limit per election cycle. In the public eye, these endorsements are the official standing of the FMA.
To find out if your Lee County Physician spouse is a member of FLAMPAC, call the Lee County Medical Society office at (239) 936-1645. If your spouse is already a regular member at $150.00, you can upgrade to Family Membership by sending in $100.00. Every $ and vote COUNTS! Please Help FLAMPAC Help Medicine!
Make your check payable to:
"FLAMPAC"
c/o LCMS
P.O. Box 60041
Fort Myers, FL 33906-0041
Another way to take the initiative is through the 1000 Club, a division of FLAMPAC. The 1000 Club provides FMA endorsed candidates with thousands of dollars of support in the final days before elections - when they need the money the most! ...for radio and TV ads, posters, fliers, etc. In this process, our united Medical Family hopes that the PUBLIC will vote pro-medicine, too.
HOW THE 1000 CLUB WORKS: Our Alliance asks each member for a maximum $200 pledge over 2 years, combining every 5 pledges to make one 1000 Club membership ($1000). When the time nears for the election, you will be notified as to who to write your check to and I will come pick it up pronto! All you have to do is sign the 1000 Club Pledge Card TODAY and mail it to me, as shown in our InTouch Newsletter.
FLAMPAC and the 1000 Club really works!!
If you have any questions, e-mail Betty Rubenstein.
The 2002 Legislative Session has ended. With important issues facing the medical community, it's important to let our members know how they can reach their Legislators. Please keep this list as a handy reference posted to your refrigerator or computer area and volunteer to make calls. Remember that one voice is seldom heard but together we can make a difference.
Florida House for 2002-2004 (Our Area)
For more info - click [STATE LISTING] .
To View House District maps, CLICK on the blue links below.
(Note: You may have to re-click the District number on each map page.)
Representative
Lindsay Harrington* (R-72)
District Address:
115 Tamiami Trail Suite 2110
Punta Gorda FL 33950-3600
941-575-5820Tallahassee Address:
House Office Building Florida Capitol
402 S. Monroe St. Room 1302
Tallahassee FL 32399-1300
850-488-9175E-mail Address: harrington.lindsay@leg.state.fl.us
Representative
Bruce Kyle* (R-73)
District Address:
2120 Main Street Room 208
Fort Myers FL 33901
941-335-2411Tallahassee Address:
House Office Building Florida Capitol
402 S. Monroe St. Room 210
Tallahassee FL 32399-1300
850-488-1541E-mail Address: kyle.bruce@leg.state.fl.us
Representative
Jeff Kottkamp (R-74)
District Address:
3501 Del Prado Blvd. Suite 307
Cape Coral FL 33904
941-338-2396Tallahassee Address:
House Office Building Florida Capitol
402 S. Monroe St. Room 313 Tallahassee, FL 32399-1300
850-488-7433E-mail Address:
kottkamp.jeff@leg.state.fl.usRepresentative
Carole Green * (R-75)
District Address:
15248 S. Tamiami Trail Suite 200
Fort Myers FL 33908-4207
941-433-6775Tallahassee Address: House Office Building Florida Capitol
402 S. Monroe St. Room 1201
Tallahassee FL 32399-1300
850-488-2047E-mail Address:
green.carole@leg.state.fl.usFlorida Senate for 2002-2004 (Our Area)
(For more info, CLICK on each Senator and follow the link
to the Florida On-Line Sunshine Government Website)
(R-37) (west Lee and Collier Counties)
(D-27) (east Lee County)
(R-21) (north Lee County)
*Denotes appointment to committee dealing with OUR Healthcare issues.
Betty's General Tips for
"THE THIRTY-SECOND PHONE CALL" -
When contacting Legislators on pending legislation use the following tips:
Give bill name and number.
State positive or negative impact.
Avoid emotional or personal attacks.
Say thank you.
Have friends make the same call.
For more information, visit www.leg.state.fl.us.