As President Mallon has reported, the 2012 Florida Legislative Session has concluded. Due to a tremendous effort by the FSO, the optometrist quest to expand their scope of practice and gain the authority to prescribe oral drugs was defeated, despite raising almost a million dollars to push their legislative agenda. Senate Bill 1316 was one of many controversial bills that included language to expand the scope of practice for optometrists; it passed through three committees during session and made it to the Senate Floor, where it was placed on the Special Order Calendar but was never heard and ultimately died. The FSO stood alone against organized optometry as well as the Florida Medical Association (FMA), who was once our ally, but by the end of session had actually joined forces with optometry in their efforts to expand scope of practice. Thankfully, despite this unprecedented support for optometric practice expansion, the controversial bills were defeated. The perseverance and dedication of our leadership, membership, lobbying team and most importantly friends in the legislature helped defeat this unprecedented legislation from moving forward.

We would like to thank our legislative team, the FSO members and the Legislators who supported us during this session _ particularly Senator Eleanor Sobel and House Speaker Dean Cannon. We also want to recognize the specialty and county medical societies who recognized the many errors in this legislation and aided in protecting the practice of ophthalmology in Florida. We are extremely appreciative of their support and plan to partner with them at every opportunity in the future.

Although the optometry bills did not pass this year the battle is far from over! The optometric lobby team is already gearing up for the 2013 Session and has made it clear that Florida will be the next Kentucky. The FSO must remain vigilant and continue to advocate for patient safety and the best quality of care. It is only through your personal and financial involvement that we will be successful.

There are three ways to support the FSO’s advocacy efforts, so we can continue to serve and protect the patients of Florida and the practice of ophthalmology: 1) Contribute to FOCUS, CCE, 2) Join the President’s Leadership Circle, and 3) Become a Key Contact. It is tremendously important that FSO members develop new political alliances and enhance existing relationships with their local representatives and educate them on critical ophthalmology and medicine related issues!

The next battle is coming. It is not if, but when. We need your continued support to help protect patient safety. Please visit www.mdeye.org/focus/ to learn more and to make a contribution.