TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoed a bill today that would have prevented optometrists from calling themselves “physicians” or “doctors” in interactions with patients or advertisements. The governor vetoed Senate Bill (SB) 230. DeSantis’ official veto message does not explain why he vetoed either bill. The bill first passed in the House with a 111-13 vote on May 3 but was sent back to the Senate after the addition of an amendment that would have allowed optometrists to continue to use the term “physician.” However, the Senate refused to concur on the amendment, and the House passed it with a 79-34 vote. The Florida Optometric Association (FOA), along with the American Optometric Association (AOA) and other OD groups as well as individual ODs from around the country, advocated intensively against the legislation and many have been gearing up to fight similar proposed legislation in other states, including Texas and Connecticut. Read More