03/16/2023
Do you find benefit from acupuncture and Chinese medicine? If so please read and take action:
PLEASE SHARE TOO!
Find your State Rep: https://www.myfloridahouse.gov/FindYourRepresentative
Find your State Senator: https://www.flsenate.gov/senators/find
Copy and paste their Tallahassee contact info somewhere you can keep and reference it easily.
Sample Script for call your Rep/Senator office.
Dial β live answer or leave a message: In a pleasant, natural, and calm tone β remember we are asking for their help.
Hello my name is __________. I am a licensed acupuncture physician (or acupuncture student) who lives and practices in (town) in (name county) for (number of years). I am the own and operate a small independent health care practice in the district. (or I study at ______school, a 3 year program for acupuncture)
This year House Bill 583 and Senate Bill 230 were introduced. These bills strictly limit how the words βphysicianβ and doctorβ can be used healthcare titles, business names and advertising.
Use of the title A.P. and Acupuncture Physician in F0lorida goes back to 1998 when the practice act was adopted, and our licensing board, the Department of Health and the Dept of Professional Regulation have formally recognized our professional titles since 2006.
Unfortunately, without an amendment to accept Acupuncture Physicians under the billβs new language, our profession will lose use of its professional title. While I understand that the billsβ sponsors want to protect the public against fraud and deceptive practices, this bill will have a crushing effect on acupuncturists, who have NEVER been accused or disciplined for misleading patients about our licensing or credentials. We need an amendment to preserve our titles.
Thank you for your time today and I hope that you will support an amendment that protects licensed acupuncturists continuing to use their professional titles the same way Florida has allowed for the past 20 years. The abrupt changes mandated in these bills will impose a financial burden on our small businesses, increase patientsβ costs, and undermine our reputation β without cause.
Can I answer any questions for you, or would you like more information about this issue? (yes) or (no). Okay, thank you again for your time. My contact details are (Name/Number). Please let me know if I can answer any questions about this issue moving forward. END OF CALL
After call send an email to the legislators office β email address found on State Legislators Website.
Dear (Rep/Senator):
Thank you for taking time today to discuss my concerns about (HB583 or SB230). Acupuncturists are working hard to assure that their legally recognized professional titles are preserved under F.S. 456. I hope that you will consider and support an amendment that affirms Acupuncturists professional titles.
Thank you.
Sincerely, (Name), Acupuncture Physician (or student of Acupuncture), (Business Name) (or school), Clinical Director, (Address), (Phone), (Email)
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