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AARP Recognizes Six Florida Lawmakers with Capitol Caregiver Award

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TALLAHASSEE -- AARP Florida has honored six Florida state legislators with its “Capitol Caregiver” award for their work in the 2016 Florida legislative session on helping to ease Florida’s nursing shortage, establishing a state commission to study emerging opportunities in using telecommunications technology to deliver health and long-term care services, allowing advanced registered nurse practitioners and licensed physician assistants to prescribe medicines, and improving oversight of professional guardians.

The legislators honored were:

  • Denise Grimsley, R-Sebring, for sponsoring the Senate version of legislation (HB 1061) that allowed Florida to join the Nurse Licensure Compact. The group of states has agreed to recognize nurse licenses granted by any state that is a member of the compact. AARP expects the measure to help ease Florida’s shortage of nurses.
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AARP Florida Director of Advocacy Jack McRay, State Sen. Denise Grimsley, AARP Florida Associate State Director Laura Cantwell.



Grimsley also was recognized for sponsoring the Senate version of legislation (HB 423) that allowed licensed physician assistants and advanced registered nurse practitioners to prescribe medication. AARP expects the legislation to help make health-care services more accessible to Floridians 50-plus.

  • Cary Pigman, R-Avon Park, for sponsoring HB 1061, the Nurse Licensure Compact legislation, and HB 423.
  • Aaron Bean, R-Fernandina Beach, for sponsoring the Senate version of legislation (HB 7087) that created a state advisory council to submit recommendations for legislation that would encourage the use of modern telecommunications technology to improve the delivery of health-care services, sometimes known as “telehealth.”
  • Chris Sprowls, R-Clearwater, for sponsoring the telehealth legislation (HB 7087).
  • Nancy Detert, R-Naples, for sponsoring legislation (SB 232) that improved state oversight of professional guardians.
  • Larry Ahern, R-Seminole, for sponsoring the House version of the guardianship legislation (SB 232).

“AARP is pleased to recognize these legislators for their important contributions to supporting family caregivers,” said McRay. “Their leadership in the 2016 legislative session made a significant difference for Floridians 50-plus in many ways.”

AARP supported all the legislation cited in the awards, McRay said. With the nation’s highest percentage of residents age 65-plus, Florida faces a significant challenge in attracting enough qualified, licensed nurses. Early in 2016, the state had about 12,500 open nursing positions, according to the Florida Center for Nursing.

Advocating on behalf of family caregivers is a top priority for AARP in Florida and nationwide, McRay said. AARP created the Capitol Caregiver award to recognize leadership by elected officials in states and Congress.

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