Florida Gov. Rick Scott recently signed into law legislation that prohibits physicians from asking their patients or their families whether they own a gun, according to a Boston Globe news report.
Physicians who violate the law could face disciplinary action by the state medical board. Proponents of the law, including the National Rifle Association, believe asking patients about gun ownership is an invasion of privacy and shouldn't impact the delivery of their healthcare.
At the other side of the table, opponents believe the matter is a public health issue and physicians should be allowed to inquire about gun ownership, much like bike helmets and seat belts, and make gun safety recommendations, according to the news report.
A number of Florida physician groups have filed a lawsuit that asks for the law to be thrown out, citing CDC data that shows hundreds of thousands of individuals have been killed by firearms.
Read the news report about the new gun ownership law in Florida.
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Physicians who violate the law could face disciplinary action by the state medical board. Proponents of the law, including the National Rifle Association, believe asking patients about gun ownership is an invasion of privacy and shouldn't impact the delivery of their healthcare.
At the other side of the table, opponents believe the matter is a public health issue and physicians should be allowed to inquire about gun ownership, much like bike helmets and seat belts, and make gun safety recommendations, according to the news report.
A number of Florida physician groups have filed a lawsuit that asks for the law to be thrown out, citing CDC data that shows hundreds of thousands of individuals have been killed by firearms.
Read the news report about the new gun ownership law in Florida.
Related Articles on Healthcare Legislation:
Massachusetts Senate Limits Non-Profit Board Member Compensation
Patient Safety Bills Aim for More Transparency Among Nevada Healthcare Providers
Florida Governor Signs Medicaid Overhaul, Shifts Program to Managed Care