1. SB222 vs SB252
Looks like the SB222 vs SB252 issue has people riled up but the fight is over. I may make people mad by saying the SB222 fight is probably wasted effort. It has no momentum and hasn’t had any votes in committee. We have to trust DeSantis’ political instincts. He’s not going to push if it’s not going to pass.
Here’s the basic dilemma. In 2020-21, the legislators were willing to hide behind DeSantis to let him take the fall for anything related to C19. Now that they have veto-proof majorities and DeSantis is vulnerable with a potential presidential run, the legislators are more likely to flex their muscles. Don’t forget that some of these guys are openly supporting Trump and want to hurt DeSantis.
In fact, Daniel and I were theorizing that SB222 might be a Trojan Horse, specifically introduced to hurt DeSantis. As good as it sounds with a blanket prohibition on all vax mandates and adding vax status to civil rights law, it was sponsored by Sen Gruters, who has done nothing to advance the bill. The same guy who just endorsed Trump. (Rumor has it Gruters will be escorting Trump around Tallahassee while DeSantis is away: https://twitter.com/peterschorschfl/status/1650865357002006529). It’s similar to the Heartbeat Protection Act. It was a no-win scenario for DeSantis, designed (in my opinion) to force him to alienate his base or alienate independents on an abortion ban that is irrelevant because it can’t go into effect until the Supreme Court changes its prior ruling or the state constitution gets amended.
Our efforts are better spent trying to improve SB252. Since my last message I re-read the bill and confirmed that it made some changes since it was introduced on 3/3. The 4/24 updated language:
- Now bans EUA and mRNA vax to C19 vax mandate prohibition
- Adds provision that international health organization policies and guidelines can’t be followed by government or educational institutions unless authorized by state law or executive order
It’s still not perfect, but Daniel says SB252 (& HB1013) is the strongest anti-vax bill in the country. The glaring issue is that the mRNA provision expires on June 1, 2025. Here are the specific recommendations I think we should fight for:
- In 395.1057 (Patients’ right to choose COVID-19 treatment alternatives), remove the necessity for “health care practitioner with privileges at the hospital” to just “board certified health care practitioner”
- In 395.1057, add hospital cannot discipline doctors for alternative C19 treatments
- In 465.0266 (Pharmacy common database), require pharmacist to dispense alternative C19 meds with standard conscience exemptions; give civil action to patients denied prescription
- Incorporate 381.003 (Communicable disease and AIDS prevention and control) changes from SB222 into SB252:
- DOH can’t require immunization registry or tracking
- Must give opt-out form at time of vax administration
- DOH can’t include immunization records in interstate or federal tracking system without first obtaining written informed consent from individual (or parent/guardian)
- Extend mRNA vax mandate prohibition indefinitely, or at least extend expiration to 2033 or after some standard requirements for safety trials
SB252 is on the senate calendar for 4/27 so there’s not much time to fight for changes. The bill’s sponsor is Sen Colleen Burton, (850) 487-5012, burton.colleen@flsenate.gov.
Daniel says it’s better to take an improved SB252 than push for SB222 and get nothing. We have to trust DeSantis’ instincts and his incremental approach. (Recall the anti-grooming bill that started K-3 that gave the left conniption fits calling it the “Don’t Say Gay Bill.” This year it was expanded to pre-K-8 and no one reacted.) Despite some claims, Daniel says he can guarantee that no one from Big Pharma has DeSantis’ ear. Of all the Republican governors in the country, DeSantis is the only one that is not antagonistic towards conservatives based on Daniel’s own experience.
2. More medical freedom news
SB1580 (Protections of Medical Conscience) was placed on the calendar for 2nd reading
HB1403 (Protections of Medical Conscience) was added to Special Order Calendar (4/25/2023)
Here is an email petition from the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons (AAPS) to get the language of HB1403 adopted:
https://mailchi.mp/aapsonline/fl-hb-1403?e=a59f100cfc
Here is some good news from Stand for Health Freedom: Collier County passes Health Freedom Bill of Rights
https://standforhealthfreedom.com/blog/collier-2/