[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6325367,"mediaKeyId","2333618-c555ce2aae0194d4dbc648d232ff3e50","parentId",2333618,"title","Committee narrows collaborative pharmacy practice by excluding complex cardiac conditions from pharmacist protocols","audioSeconds",635,"startMs",3373000,"endMs",4008000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2333618-c555ce2aae0194d4dbc648d232ff3e50&start=3373&end=4008","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2333618-c555ce2aae0194d4dbc648d232ff3e50/thumbnail_3373000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6325367/Florida/Committee-narrows-collaborative-pharmacy-practice-by-excluding-complex-cardiac-conditions-from-pharmacist-protocols","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6325367-dcc4b45dc83f38425d25a9221639cf80/orig.mp4?Expires=1771141008&Signature=GE~QKNNkmnvRF0omt0IlVaIWW3jL9~XVdibd~9KV3fKGLqeHpL5s6offRF-siwmtjP~VbRV3Kp8OtZXS2BUwK02t3GBVANvH25z5yeW8dwNyIy6q9~4KmB8tveC9eq1kzOA-0pbWiqhe3uYOZzuRjoKkF0cgOLDOaCmcZdkD4VYPSqntnQg~vQMuDct8zUazS7IuqDOEXUogBWQiXFXiVlBhKPL-2me1himeQ6ThMWHmB1fSmdI4w47vk374p~1SqIFKm0SOmpYNr56vWQZ4i8sRtvWhFdgPXEVOxM5qYml1sHtrCZhVds62ri5nM03KwVAcHQ4ZdwyyslimoPb2gg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Florida State Legislature","date","2025-02-18T00:00:00Z","article","Senator Harrell presented Senate Bill 294 to the Senate Committee on Health Policy, saying the legislation would prevent the Board of Pharmacy from adding “heart failure, coronary heart disease, [and] cardiac rhythm disorders” to the list of chronic conditions eligible for collaborative pharmacy practice agreements (CPPA).

Harrell said the original 2020 law enabling collaborative agreements allowed pharmacists, in collaboration with physicians, to manage certain chronic conditions where routine medication adjustments are appropriate. Over time, the Board of Pharmacy, in consultation with the Board of Medicine, has added conditions by rule. SB 294 would place statutory limits on those additions for complex cardiac conditions that, the sponsor and medical witnesses argued, require physician decision‑making and specialized care.

Dr. Alan Ackerman, chair of the advocacy committee for the Florida chapter of the American College of Cardiology and a board‑certified cardiologist, testified in support. Ackerman said heart failure and chronic coronary disease “are among the leading causes of morbidity and hospitalization” and require “years of formative medical education” and ongoing specialist management; he noted heart failure had been excluded from the original statute and the Board of Pharmacy had attempted to add it by rule.

Supporters including the Florida Chapter of the American College of Cardiology, the Florida Medical Association and the Florida Society of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeons waived or offered supportive testimony. The committee reported SB 294 favorably by roll call; the transcript records, “By your vote, Senate Bill 294 is reported favorably.”","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Committee on Health Policy 2/18/2025","oneSentenceSummary","SB 294 would bar the Board of Pharmacy from adding certain complex cardiac conditions (heart failure, coronary heart disease, cardiac rhythm disorders) to the list of conditions eligible for collaborative pharmacy practice agreements; committee members and medical groups supported the restriction.","taxTitle","Health Policy, Standing Committees, Senate, Legislative, Florida","taxId",25568,"location","Florida","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6325372,"Committee advances public‑records exemption for Agency for Health Care Administration employees after debate",334,3080000,3414000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2333618-c555ce2aae0194d4dbc648d232ff3e50&start=3080&end=3414","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2333618-c555ce2aae0194d4dbc648d232ff3e50/thumbnail_3080000.jpg","/articles/6325372/Florida/Committee-advances-publicrecords-exemption-for-Agency-for-Health-Care-Administration-employees-after-debate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6325372-ba2f3a08a264ee1148c523260ab5d639/orig.mp4?Expires=1771141008&Signature=j2LQxBJ74Fzg28FOuGG68QMFw15EowrgzNnxWdIUt-OmWhqOzqHdNaV~n-gDlZ2JLG~iu55noG9DHWFKJ5V2RuekVerF9dHjp7id~A5mArqK63oFavFtVeyr9Nfu0K8U~NkjuMqcZ-T~UcGof6KKzRsDlq5CpjxWweFAmX63q9eCrvdNbbTypkp5uqLiItDESOrPYcGz9zycUvL3aiA2nrWQGvbmu81-X6a36sFCbHGkQ7bgb6qZo3pf0XrpTN3lvSZ1X8eek7hWIUjyXPUVMI53uV8wsE1o~wT7ho0iV1Kq2PehpI3WrlpwaHy3wge9TYvR05s~FvpDRgu7Phl28Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senator Harrell introduced Senate Bill 342 to create a public‑records exemption protecting identifying information for current and former employees of the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) and their families. Harrell said the agency “is the regulatory agency for our healthcare facilities” and that enforcement activity sometimes provokes threats to inspectors.

Harrell told the committee the exemption would make “exempt their names, addresses, dates of birth, places of employment of their children and spouses to make sure that they are protected as they protect us,” citing incidents in which inspectors were stalked or threatened after inspections or enforcement actions.

Senator Gaetz spoke in debate and said he generally opposes expanding public‑records exemptions but that he would support this measure, noting his own experience receiving threats while in public life. Gaetz said: “I hate public records exemptions. I think we've passed too many of them,” but added that the circumstances of AHCA inspectors were “compelling” and that he would vote for the bill.

Kim Smoak, Deputy Secretary at AHCA (waiving), was listed in support. After Senator Harrell’s closing remarks the committee reported SB 342 favorably by roll call; the transcript records, “By your vote, Senate Bill 342 is reported favorably.” The transcript does not include a consolidated numeric vote tally in the excerpt.","SB 342 would exempt identifying information of current and former employees of the Agency for Health Care Administration and their families from public records; supporters cited staff safety after inspection activity, while at least one senator expressed broader concern about expanding exemptions.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6325377,"Committee advances bill expanding step‑therapy exceptions for severe mental illness, including perinatal conditions",957,2158000,3115000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2333618-c555ce2aae0194d4dbc648d232ff3e50&start=2158&end=3115","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2333618-c555ce2aae0194d4dbc648d232ff3e50/thumbnail_2158000.jpg","/articles/6325377/Florida/Committee-advances-bill-expanding-steptherapy-exceptions-for-severe-mental-illness-including-perinatal-conditions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6325377-3fb92b853508bd52d75ae591ec30506f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771141008&Signature=VIGS~KNIIQ0cKrf63pYuQGW9~j88JTnWbfV29di~MV8PFxEvv~7V2nYe-rbZXkg0Xv~xcq~e5siegVSZ5-wQ3ogDWaGScQEwKIjEHWjs4la8~UoscMd3erOydQ3ga4zRUvPjx4~OCBZAd9oW5EubYcMGKaiosSMAx3x53pgmriLdI7VlxRA3VRzpXDIjb3eJNYGSdV3Wsq9ZHxhIV-evYeNXPGN5J97134xBNqztZC-rkkLoa3OBDFRbVX~VPqimu-pVkKFp3g1Sh0CEjL5guggz7LbrL0vDMuAF5Wfz8o37YtdIPaM-ucfleZ5U-A39sQ2KUS0Lh598Zvd4aXXdQA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Vice Chair Harrell presented Senate Bill 264 to the Senate Committee on Health Policy, framing the legislation as targeted relief from step‑therapy requirements for people with severe mental illness. Harrell said the bill expands an earlier exception and “includes pregnancy related and postpartum mental health depression and crises.”

Harrell told senators the bill narrows the situation where a provider must require a patient to “fail” on a preferred drug list medication before receiving another drug the clinician prescribes. He said the bill expands the exemption passed in 2022 (SB 534) that was limited to schizophrenia and related disorders to cover a broader set of severe mental illnesses, including bipolar disorders, major depressive disorder, obsessive‑compulsive disorder and childhood/adolescent depressive disorders.

Carolee McClain, executive director of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Florida, described the human impact of delayed access, saying that for people with severe depression “the worst can be the loss of a job, the loss of a home, damage to the physical health as well as to emotional health. And in the worst cases ... danger to self or others, loss of life to suicide.” Tom Griffin, representing Otsuka Pharmaceuticals, presented company‑prepared analysis comparing states with open access policies (Michigan) and those with utilization management; the representative said unpublished comparative analysis suggests open access can reduce hospital utilization and overall per‑enrollee costs in certain populations.

Supporters including NAMI, AARP, the Florida Psychiatric Society and the Florida Medical Association waived in support. After sponsor closing remarks emphasizing the bill’s clinical rationale and fiscal considerations, the committee reported SB 264 favorably by roll call; the transcript records, “By your vote, Senate Bill 264 is reported favorably.” The committee transcript did not include a consolidated numeric vote tally in the excerpt.","SB 264 would widen exceptions to step‑therapy (fail‑first) protocols under Medicaid for people with severe mental illness, adding pregnancy‑related and postpartum psychiatric disorders and other specified conditions; sponsor and advocates said the change addresses clinical harms from delays in effective medication.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6325382,"Committee advances bill requiring surgical smoke evacuation policies in hospitals, ambulatory centers",835,1374000,2209000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2333618-c555ce2aae0194d4dbc648d232ff3e50&start=1374&end=2209","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2333618-c555ce2aae0194d4dbc648d232ff3e50/thumbnail_1374000.jpg","/articles/6325382/Florida/Committee-advances-bill-requiring-surgical-smoke-evacuation-policies-in-hospitals-ambulatory-centers","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6325382-06000a84fd3ef4d2540bce334bbf53b2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771141008&Signature=ZEaRdanlF8MdwFcVQU~Qh0A0DG-QpnUCI-PF9HqAyWY9LfyofFfhgfF8ikAJVGUAu5K2u7CBgJi4ZpPuzaYxSxuz75jAdBBE0Ll2dLZG6GBJ1TkccI1p-znEb2BZcey~4BD93wQ45ChqdN~whXD8SMS62OnYzGJFWOKC6kb3OzaDGSMJsg4n9k2iBtRPTTJEmKjJwySpgMOXvQW0npVOhQ~bMtulQgbDAOtY3w-aLvLDmB9NAfHprEpAwFZdk-AzEIw1FZQKVgJiGDzyy~Upm8NCWP~8nXh18X5tdVddBTaHeSZuM64M8pSew~cAi5TqxNHm8-BuEKOZGu-nnOs~OQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senator Davis presented Senate Bill 152 to the Senate Committee on Health Policy, describing the bill as a requirement that “hospitals and ambulatory surgical care centers by a specified date adopt and implement policies requiring the use of smoke evacuation systems during certain surgical procedures.”

Nurse and association testimony emphasized health risks. Megan Maroney, a board member of the Florida Nurses Association, told the committee surgical smoke is “smoke from burning flesh which carries viruses such as HPV, HIV, HBV, bacteria, blood contaminated aerosols and cancer cells” and said “the average daily exposure to surgical smoke for the entire surgical team is equivalent to inhaling the smoke of 27 to 30 unfiltered cigarettes.” Eva Lim, an operating room nurse, added the smoke “carries 150 hazardous chemicals and 16 of which are EPA priority pollutant list” substances and said current surgical masks do not filter the fine particles generated by electrosurgical instruments.

Supporters pointed to existing guidance and codes: the American College of Surgeons has recommended evacuation to reduce exposure and the National Fire Protection Association’s 2024 Healthcare Facilities Code requires capture of surgical smoke in new or remodeled hospitals. Witnesses and the sponsor argued those standards are not consistently applied in existing facilities and that SB 152 would extend protections statewide.

Senator Davis and the nurses framed the bill as workplace and patient‑safety legislation. Sandra Falk, a recently retired OR nurse, cited research comparing OR nurses to the general population for respiratory and ocular conditions and urged the committee to adopt uniform evacuation policies. Several organizations waived in support, including the Florida Nurses Association, Medtronic, and the Florida Neurological Society.

The committee reported SB 152 favorably by roll call; the transcript records, \"By your vote, Senate Bill 152 is reported favorably.\" The transcript does not show a consolidated numeric vote tally within the excerpt. Senator Davis closed by urging support and reiterating that evacuation is done in some facilities but not consistently across the state.","SB 152 would require hospitals and ambulatory surgical care centers to adopt policies to use smoke evacuation systems during certain procedures; nurses and operating room staff testified about health risks from surgical smoke and urged passage.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6325387,"Committee advances bill to allow mail distribution of hearing aids with teleaudiology safeguards",202,1162000,1364000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2333618-c555ce2aae0194d4dbc648d232ff3e50&start=1162&end=1364","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2333618-c555ce2aae0194d4dbc648d232ff3e50/thumbnail_1162000.jpg","/articles/6325387/Florida/Committee-advances-bill-to-allow-mail-distribution-of-hearing-aids-with-teleaudiology-safeguards","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6325387-88c7ea5e66c3a5516b7cb17fc1169ea5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771141008&Signature=BcsAj~lDLe1N9mdkqQDDko4QujjM07AOx3x7yzetaLaqADbwhI~eTDZ6LVNwQx~-MVYVWqBlz8KH6rRQpFx1ZXcmM82mwWcBDGH-Ul3H0UhPIi1CQcuo8BC8n8cDWTy0dIAH-NieQGi0dHcxqhfZDX6H5KIFNU7gYVht7FupnDYYq-Dw2NBIqp-4KOCkVVSXY4tDCg338LsHj1kENNb04L6qjuUrdZvp7KegqI-yMrvwNUryO1EbnZh75sOhPhPRM4RadMAbckUGxq9rc~hMB5MFJjCqZqlf3FocgQg0DJQ0f5xpf84p8ukiNZrM7kguPmBEika1K1rb5Xp99tAzbA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senator Bradley introduced Senate Bill 126 to the Senate Committee on Health Policy, saying the bill would increase “the availability and accessibility of hearing aids” by allowing mail distribution provided required teleaudiology testing is completed by a licensed professional.

The bill removes an existing prohibition on distributing hearing aids through the mail, a restriction Senator Bradley said “that 47 other states do not have,” and requires that teleaudiology testing and procedures be conducted by an audiologist or a hearing aid specialist before sale.

The measure drew one in-person supporter and an appearance card from the Academy of Audiologists. Theresa Bulger of the Academy told the committee she and stakeholders are “working with Senator Bradley ... to arrive at an amendment that makes this bill something that we can leave and support.” There was no further debate.

By roll call, the committee reported SB 126 favorably to the full Senate. The meeting record shows the clerk called the roll and the chair announced, “By your vote, Senate Bill 126 is reported favorably.” The transcript does not provide a numeric vote tally in a single consolidated line.

SB 126 would leave teleaudiology as the required pre‑sale clinical evaluation while removing the prohibition on mail distribution; it does not remove the clinical testing or licensing requirement. Sponsor and supporters said the change is intended to reduce geographic and mobility barriers to hearing‑aid access. The bill’s text and any implementing amendment language were not included in the committee discussion recorded in the transcript.

The committee moved on after the vote; Senator Bradley said he would continue to work with stakeholders on amendments before further consideration.","The Senate Committee on Health Policy voted to report favorably on SB 126, which would permit hearing aids to be distributed by mail if teleaudiology testing by a licensed audiologist or hearing aid specialist occurs before sale.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee narrows collaborative pharmacy practice by excluding complex cardiac conditions from pharmacist protocols

Committee advances public‑records exemption for Agency for Health Care Administration employees after debate

Committee advances bill expanding step‑therapy exceptions for severe mental illness, including perinatal conditions

Committee advances bill requiring surgical smoke evacuation policies in hospitals, ambulatory centers

Committee advances bill to allow mail distribution of hearing aids with teleaudiology safeguards