Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) says Florida will protect physicians who say “what the government thinks is misinformation.”

Governor Ron DeSantis called on the Florida Legislature to protect health care practitioners’ freedom of speech and bolster patient access to and education of COVID-19 treatments through the right to prescribe. The Free Speech of Health Care Practitioners Act, House Bill 687, and Senate Bill 1184, would solidify these rights for both patients and health care workers. “Despite ongoing health care practitioner shortages across the nation, these crucial frontline workers continue to face threats to their licenses if they dissent from the prevailing narrative of the medical establishment,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “I am calling on the Legislature to pass this important free speech bill and strengthen the legislation by solidifying the right to prescribe and access COVID treatments. We must safeguard the free speech of our health care providers because it is through open dialogue and debate that science advances and patients receive the best care.” The Free Speech of Health Care Practitioners Act would protect healthcare workers from having their licensure revoked for simply exercising their right to free speech.