Staff Reports
New legislation from state Sen. Dana Young aims to “crack down on for-profit stem-cell clinics that are preying on Florida seniors and other vulnerable Floridians,” her office said Friday.
The Tampa Republican’s measure (SB 1508) relates to “use of stem cells in a clinic setting.” It would require stem-cell clinics to:
— Register with the Department of Health (DOH).
— Mandate each clinic have a designated physician on staff responsible for complying with all requirements related to registration and operation of the clinic.
— Direct DOH to inspect registered clinics annually.
— Dictate the Board of Medicine to adopt rules governing advertising by stem-cell clinics and informed consent guidelines.
— Allow DOH to impose an administrative fine up to $5,000 per violation.
“I have learned about the many Floridians who have been badly affected by unregulated, and often questionable, alternative forms of stem-cell treatment offered in Florida stem-cell clinics,” Young said in a statement.
“One instance was so severe the patient was blinded,” she added. ‘”It is clear something has to be done. These for-profit stem-cell clinics have cropped up all over the country, particularly here in Florida.”
Her bill “will provide much-needed protection for Floridians, as well as those who travel to Florida to seek stem-cell treatment, by putting guidelines and safety standards in place to guarantee these alternative stem-cell treatments are properly and safely administered and these for-profit stem-cell clinics are inspected and held to a higher standard.”
A companion bill will be filed in the House by Rep. Jason Brodeur, the release added.
One comment
Elizabeth Bennett
January 6, 2018 at 12:20 pm
Investigative journalists should check Young’s claims/request copies of documentation of negative reports. Ensure this is about protecting citizens and not interfering with stem-cell treatment/research.
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