Have you ever wondered about the
procedure to create a new State law?If
you’re like me I thought, “Go to my local legislators”.That’s exactly what I tried to do.With all the hype of running for political
offices, I thought they would be ready and waiting for a meeting with one of
their constituents.Was I wrong!I have contacted no fewer than 30 public
officials and received exactly 2 responses (written by assistants).You probably won’t get an in person meeting
with your legislator, but you might get to speak with an assistant.And, you won’t get any audience at all if you
are not part of the legislator’s electoral district.
When I finally obtained an
appointment with my State Representative, I proceeded to tell the story of the
medical residency crisis.It turns out
that Medical Education has its own traditions, and you can’t just go “apply for
another job elsewhere”.So my
representative had no clue as to the components of medical training and the
process of communicating this dilemma was an uphill challenge.After countless letters, emails, and phone
calls to legislators, members of the State Board of Medicine, the State
Executive Director of Medicine, the State Surgeon General, and yes, even the
Governor of the State, I was nowhere on my quest to create a new State law for
physician licensure!
My next step was to contact the
Florida Medical Association (FMA) where the advice was ambiguous.It turns out that in the end, the real
process begins with your county branch of the State medical association.However, after numerous phone messages and
emails to the Executive Director of our county’s medical association, I could
not believe I was getting no answer!When I finally decided to go in person to the address of record, my GPS
lead me to a PO Box at the post office!What is with this world?!No one
answers anyone!It turns out, you will
only get a “response” if you are a member of the medical association.My husband had to make the call….
So after 4 futile months of
trying to get a starting point for the creation of a new State law, here is the
ANSWER:
Contact a Delegate from your county medical
association
Convince the Delegate of the merits of a new law
If they agree, begin the drafting of a proposal to
take to the annual meeting of the State medical association.
Present the proposal to the State association and
make amendments. If the association agrees…
The State association sends the proposal via their
legislative delegates to the Health Committee of the State Legislature for
drafting into a Bill
Continue the legislative process with the Bill to
pass a new law
So, you think you have the answer
now?Not so fast!You won’t believe the politics that get
involved.Politics?Yes, politics.Life is really a “turf”war!
