"Legislators, let's get out of their way."
Kentucky is among several states seeking to reform laws to allow APRNs to practice to the full extent of their education and training. Florida APRNs are also hard at work to modernize the sunshine state's laws to increase access to health care for citizens there.
On February 26, 2020 Florida HB 607 passed the Health and Human Services Committee unanimously.
Physician and Representative Cary Pigman, the bill's sponsor, addressed the accusations and misrepresentations being put forward by organized medicine in his state to derail the bill. The transcript of his remarks is below.
Florida Representative Cary Pigman
speaking to the House Health and Human Services Committee
February 26, 2020
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"The one comment we've heard as the years have gone by is: 'If you want to be a doctor, go to medical school.' And I've never understood what that meant -- I don’t know what the intent was. I thought it was sort of vacuous and just a kneejerk response without any deep meaning.
But I have reflected upon it.
And, if it being a doctor means being able to practice your skills and arts without paying a permit fee to some other professional, then I want to be a doctor.
If being a doctor means to be able to help people with chronic illnesses to live a fuller life, then I want to be a doctor.
If being a doctor means to be able to understand that learning does not stop with school or residency but only begins and continues lifelong, then I want to be a doctor.
If being a doctor means to able to willingly and voluntarily join a team of colleagues to improve people's lives, then I want to be a doctor.
But if being a doctor means to profit off the labors of others, then I don’t want to be a doctor.
If being a doctor means to spread false information to fearmonger, then I don't want to be a doctor.
If being a doctor means to deny decades of systematic sexual discrimination, then I don't want to be a doctor.
If being a doctor means to deny that there's an access to healthcare problem, then I don't want to be a doctor.
And if being a doctor means to rely upon a state statue to ensure your value or self-worth, then I don't want to be a doctor.
Now after all that, I have steadfastly and lovingly practiced medicine. I've been involved in healthcare since 1974.
I've been a doctor since 1983.
And I also remain steadfast in my belief that these advanced healthcare practice professionals have much to give to the people of Florida. Legislators: Let's get out of their way."
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Dr. Cary Pigman
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