These talking points are to help you talk and write to comitee members, THEY ARE NOT A SCRIPT. Do not copy and paste, use your own words. I just know we are all busy and wanted to give you the ammo you need.
TALKING POINTS FOR HB911/SB1370:
MEDICAL TREATMENT OF ANIMALS
• In its current form, this bill purports to expand access to veterinary care to underserved populations in the state. In reality, this bill opens Florida up to becoming a puppy pill mill.
• The way this bill currently reads, there is no evidence required to confirm the existence of a pet.
• Although the bill appears to limit this ability, it still leaves open the possibility - and the inevitable likelihood - that a pet owner could misuse a televet service and to obtain controlled substances, including opiates such as morphine, fentanyl, buprenorophine, etc., as well as Prozac, valium and zanax.
• Florida has worked hard to rehabilitate its image as a “pill mill” state. Why would we allow legislation that has the potential to put us back into that position?
• Telemedicine for pets already exists in Florida. Pet owners are required to bring their pet in to a brick and mortar office once a year to maintain the vet-patient relationship.
• It is impossible for the veterinary profession to meet the standard of care that is defined by DBPR, such as obtaining temperature, pulse respiration (TPR) that is required for every medical exam file.
• Comparing veterinary medicine to human medicine is a false equivalency, so telemedicine may not be appropriate for every veterinary need.
• While well-intentioned, pet owners do not have the proper training to accurately interpret a pet’s symptoms and communicate those to their veterinarian.
• Additionally, animals cannot talk to convey their symptoms - much like some pediatric patients - so a properly trained vet is crucial to examine and determine the cause of a pet’s pain or discomfort.
• Dermatology is impossible to treat without a physical exam, as only a vet has the training and equipment required to determine what skin conditions are caused by fleas, ticks or allergies, versus more serious complications like bacterial infections, ringworm, scabies, staph or MRSA, some of which, if left untreated, can be passed on to humans.
• Some symptoms appear to point to one type of sickness, but upon further exam another, more serious, diagnosis can be determined. Relying solely on tele vet practitioners opens the door for missed diagnoses and improper treatment.
• There is currently a bill in the Senate, SB 216, regarding a veterinarian’s responsibility to report animal cruelty. How can we, as a profession, be responsible for reporting animal cruelty if we are not even able to physically examine an animal?
• How long will it take illegal dog fighters to realize they can get their dogs medicine for their injuries without the fear of getting reported by a televet?
• This bill and its companion in the Senate were both filed in February. On March 17, 2021, a company called Dutch Pet Inc. filed a trademark application and its registration is intended to cover the categories of telemedicine veterinary services. This company was incorporated in Delaware, longtime known as a state with business-friendly tax laws for incorporations, with a physical address in Martinez, California, that is a 1220-square foot warehouse space with roll-up bay door and no internal walls.
• Around this same time, Chewy changed its website to say they now offer a free special connection to vet services for Florida residents only. It is clear that corporations are lining up to make money off this legislation.
• Florida will become a testing ground for this legislation and, if passed, will pave the way for puppy pill mills across the country.