President’s Message
March 2025 
Diana Hussain MD

President FSPMR

 

Florida Society of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (FSPMR)  
Legislative Updates & Community Growth

 

Recent Legislative Updates Impacting PM&R in Florida

As we continue advocating for the interests of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation patients and professionals, it is essential to stay informed about recent legislative changes that could impact our practice and patient care. Here are some key updates:

• Patient-Directed Medical Orders (Senate Bill 566): This bill expands palliative care options and provides clearer guidelines on patient-directed medical orders. It ensures that patients with progressive illnesses have more autonomy in their care decisions while protecting healthcare providers following these directives.

• Chiropractic Medicine Expansion (Senate Bill 564): This legislation broadens the scope of chiropractic medicine by allowing qualified practitioners to order, store, and prescribe certain natural-origin medications. While this change is aimed at increasing access to care, it also highlights the importance of defining clear roles within rehabilitative medicine.

• Mandatory Coverage for Biomarker Testing: Beginning in January 2025, insurance plans—including Florida Medicaid—will be required to cover biomarker testing for diagnostic and treatment purposes. This legislative win enhances our ability to personalize treatment plans and improve patient outcomes.

These legislative updates emphasize the need for continued advocacy to shape policies that benefit our profession and our patients. We encourage all members to stay engaged and voice their concerns to ensure PM&R remains at the forefront of healthcare policy in Florida.

Strengthening Our Community: The Importance of Membership

One of the most effective ways to influence legislation and advocate for policies that benefit our field is by strengthening our professional community. The Florida Society of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (FSPMR) is dedicated to supporting physiatrists through education, networking, and legislative efforts.

We urge all members to actively participate in our initiatives and invite colleagues to join FSPMR. A united voice has the power to influence legislative decisions that impact our practice and patient care. The more professionals we bring into our organization, the greater our collective impact will be in shaping policies that support our field.

 

Looking Ahead: Upcoming Conference & Next Newsletter

While we will provide an in-depth look at our FSPMR/FSIPP Annual Conference (September 4–7, 2025, at the Hyatt Regency Orlando) in our June newsletter, we want to remind everyone to mark their calendars. This event will feature key speakers, hands-on workshops, and the latest advancements in PM&R. More details, including registration deadlines and special events, will be shared in the upcoming edition.  More information is available now on FSPMR’s conference page, https://mailchi.mp/d9fc31368a9d/fspmr2025:  registration (open now), Call for Abstracts (open now), Room Block Link (open now), the Prospectus and more.

Let’s continue working together to strengthen our profession and make a lasting impact. Thank you for your dedication to the field of physical medicine and rehabilitation!

Stay Connected & Get Involved!

• Visit FSPMR.org for updates:  https://mailchi.mp/d9fc31368a9d/fspmr2025

• Engage with us on social media by using #FSPMR2025 #FSPMR on your posts

• Reach out to your colleagues and encourage them to join us in making a difference!

 

Diana Hussain, M.D.