Florida Society of Rheumatology

03/09/2026

Fraser Cobbe and Joe Daraskevich discuss the latest developments from the legislative session, including an update on the state budget and why lawmakers may not reach an agreement before session ends.

They also review several health policy issues currently being debated in Tallahassee, including vaccine-related legislation and other medical topics that still face hurdles as bills must pass in both chambers.

The episode wraps up with an update on proposed legislation related to sovereign immunity and what it could mean moving forward.

Stay informed on the issues impacting physicians and healthcare in Florida.

Fraser Cobbe and Joe Daraskevich flip the script a little bit this week by introducing the musical selection first before jumping into the weekly headlines. ...

03/09/2026

Drs. Faith, Levin, and Reddy take a moment during the Florida Society of Rheumatology Leadership Retreat to enjoy the historic setting at Castillo de San Marcos National Monument in St. Augustine.

The Florida Society of Rheumatology Board of Directors recently gathered for their annual Leadership Retreat to plan for the year ahead. During the retreat, board members focused on strategic priorities to strengthen the society, enhance member engagement, advance advocacy efforts, and begin planning for future meetings.

We appreciate the time and dedication our volunteer leaders invest to ensure FSR continues to support and represent rheumatologists across Florida.

03/06/2026

Physicians see every day how legislation impacts patient care, from prior authorizations to access to treatment and fair reimbursement.

Advocacy is a critical part of protecting both our patients and the future of our profession.

FSR makes it easy to speak up through VoterVoice, a simple tool that allows physicians to contact their legislators in less than a minute.

Learn more about FSR Advocacy: https://floridarheumatology.org/Advocacy

03/02/2026

Fraser Cobbe and Joe Daraskevich break down which healthcare bills are gaining traction in Tallahassee and which may be running out of steam as the 2026 Legislative Session winds down.

They open the episode by thanking the Board of the Florida Society of Rheumatology (FSR) for traveling to St. Augustine for the Annual Report and for their continued advocacy efforts that are delivering meaningful wins for physicians and patients across Florida.

Fraser then dives into key pharmacy issues, including legislation impacting treatment for injured workers and an important update on buy-and-bill rules plus whether related legislation currently has momentum.

With the end of Session approaching and several complex issues in play, we encourage you to watch and stay informed.

Fraser Cobbe and Joe Daraskevich are focused on which pieces of legislation have a chance to cross the finish line and which bills seem to be losing momentum...

02/25/2026

The abstract submission portal for 2026 Annual Meeting of the Florida Society of Rheumatology opens March 1, 2026.

Rheumatology Fellows, IM & FM Residents, Medical Students, and Undergraduates - get ready to submit your research and most interesting clinical cases for presentation this July at Loews Sapphire Falls Resort at Universal Orlando.

You can view the submission guidelines and access the portal here:
https://floridarheumatology.org/Abstract

Start preparing now, we look forward to showcasing your work!

02/23/2026

Inside the 2026 Legislative Session: Strategy, Predictions & Election-Year Impact

Fraser Cobbe and Joe Daraskevich host healthcare policy advocate Toni Large, president of Large Strategies, for a timely update from Tallahassee as the 2026 session moves beyond Day 40.

Toni discusses how generational shifts among state leadership are influencing legislative tone and healthcare priorities. While professional backgrounds are often analyzed, the conversation highlights how age demographics within leadership can significantly shape policy direction.

Looking ahead, the group outlines what must occur procedurally for major bills to pass both chambers and offers informed predictions on which proposals are positioned for success.

With Florida in an election year, physicians should anticipate increased outreach from candidates this summer, creating valuable opportunities to advocate for patient care and specialty medicine priorities.

Stay engaged. Advocacy starts with awareness.

Fraser Cobbe and Joe Daraskevich bring on special guest Toni Large to give fresh insight from Tallahassee as the 2026 legislative session moves past the 40-d...

02/18/2026

Sponsorship opportunities are now available for the 2026 Annual Meeting of the Florida Society of Rheumatology, taking place July 16–18, 2026, at Loews Sapphire Falls Resort at Universal Orlando.

This premier rheumatology meeting brings together physicians and decision-makers from across Florida, offering valuable opportunities for industry partners to showcase innovations, strengthen brand visibility, and build meaningful connections.

Visit our website to view the 2026 sponsorship prospectus and learn how to be part of FSR 2026. https://floridarheumatology.org/page/SponsorshipOpportunities

02/17/2026

Fraser Cobbe and Joe Daraskevich take a look back at the first half of the 2026 legislative session in Tallahassee.

Fraser dives in with a breakdown of why this session has been more about process than progress so far. It's hard to say whether that's good or bad for organized medicine, since physicians are in favor of some of the bills stuck in the logjam and opposed to some of the other bills. Fraser and Joe look into two bills that did see a little momentum, one that relates to naturopathic medicine and another that focuses on sickle cell CME.

Joe leaves viewers with a music recommendation for a band that will be touring Florida this week for any doctors looking to get out of the house for some live music. Feel free to leave a comment or a question, because Joe and Fraser will be speaking with a special guest on next week's show!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gsEnSCgYRR0

02/10/2026

Dr. Natalie Faith and Dr. Catherine Kowal recently participated in the Rheum Now Live conference in Dallas.

During the event, they had the opportunity to meet with Dr. John Cush, the Editor and CEO of RheumNow.com, who also served as a moderator and organizer of the meeting.

Dr. Cush is scheduled to speak at the upcoming FSR Annual Meeting in July 2026.

Learn more about FSR 2026 https://floridarheumatology.org/event/FSR2026

02/09/2026

Big advocacy wins for rheumatology patients and providers!

The FY2026 federal funding bill includes PBM reforms to improve drug pricing transparency and extends Medicare telehealth flexibilities for two more years, priorities FSR has long championed.

Thank you to our members and partners who helped make this possible.

Together, we’re improving access to care.

https://floridarheumatology.org/news/719944/FSR-Applauds-Key-Health-Policy-Wins-in-FY2026-Federal-Appropriations-Package.htm

02/02/2026

Even a Florida cold snap can’t slow down legislative action.

Fraser Cobbe and Joe Daraskevich recap week three of the 2026 session with a look at the bills gaining early traction and what they could mean for physician practices. Highlights include proposed regulatory changes to office-based surgery suites, the outlook for the Big Beautiful Health Care Frontier Act, and updates on patient access to medical records.

With so many healthcare policies moving quickly, staying informed is key for physicians.

Catch this week’s breakdown here:

Fraser Cobbe and Joe Daraskevich bundle up for this week's episode as they try to stay warm amid a frigid cold front in the third week of the 2026 legislativ...

01/26/2026

After a frantic first week of the 2026 legislative session, politicians settled into a groove during the second week.

There was still plenty of action in Tallahassee! Fraser Cobbe and Joe Daraskevich spend much of this episode looking at the big picture when it comes to organized medicine and advocacy.

Fraser talks about how physicians often feel like they're playing defense when it comes to hot topics in Tallahassee, and he points out some important issues where physicians are on the other side of the ball and pushing a more offensive agenda. He also digs into some familiar topics in the insurance world while detailing the specifics of a couple bills, one in particular that deals with prior authorization, among other things.

Stay tuned the rest of session for updates on bills that relate to the medical field!

After a frantic first week of the 2026 legislative session, politicians settled into a groove during the second week. There was still plenty of action in Tal...