DeSantis vetoes bill that would have limited who can use the title ‘doctor’ in ads

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (FLV) – Gov. Ron DeSantis issued his first vetoes of the year on Friday, sending two healthcare related bills back to the state legislature.

One of the two bills, SB 230, would allow use of the title or designation “physician” exclusively for medical doctors and osteopathic physicians in advertisements and when interacting with patients.

The bill was strongly supported by Senate President Kathleen Passidomo, R-Naples, who according to her spokeswoman, was aware of the governor’s impending veto.

“She has been aware of the Governor’s plans to veto the bill, but believes it started an important conversation she hopes to continue,” a spokeswoman for Passidomo’s office said. “They agree on many issues and have a tremendous number of shared priorities. She is very grateful for his support of her priorities, including the Live Local Act and the Expansion of the Wildlife Corridor.”

The bill became a point of disagreement between the House and Senate when the House initially modified the measure to permit optometrists to use the term “physicians” in their advertisements and when interacting with patients.

The Senate, however, declined to approve that alteration and returned the bill to the House where the bill finally passed with Passidomo’s preferred text, in a vote of 78-34.

The other bill vetoed by DeSantis, HB 385, addressed Florida’s participation in the Professional Counselors Licensure Compact, which is an agreement facilitating the provision of telehealth and in-person treatment across different states.

The bill would have enabled states to levy fees for practicing under the licensure compact.