Governance

Executive Vice President's Message


EVP Patricia Handler

 

Dear Doctors –

The December 2011 issue of Miami Medicine was devoted
entirely to legislative information, including contact
information for all Miami-Dade County legislators representing you
in Tallahassee. We encourage you to use this contact information
during the January 10, 2012-March 9, 2012 legislative session when you are asked by DCMA to contact legislators on bills of importance to you and your patients. The December 2011 issue of Miami Medicine is posted on-line on the DCMA web site – www.miamimed.com. You can also go to the DCMA website and click on Florida Legislators for the list of legislators and their contact information.
 
To determine your legislator if you don’t already know who it is, look at your voter registration card. This card will tell you the District your State Senator and State Representative are in. Just scroll down to find the District and contact information for your legislators

DON’T KNOW YOUR DISTRICT?

For the Florida Senate – Google – Florida Legislators
Click on – Find Your Legislator-Florida Senate
Enter your entire home address (not just the zip code since some zip codes are
represented by more than one legislator).
The name and contact information for your legislator will pop up.
 
For the Florida House – Google – Florida Legislators
Click on – Florida House of Representatives-Representatives
Click on – Find your Legislator
Enter your entire home address
The name and contact information for your legislator will pop up.

 

Google – Miami Dade County Elections Department
Click on How to Register
Follow instructions. Below is a brief summary of the instructions.

HOW TO REGISTER TO VOTE

Registering to vote is a right. It is available to all persons who meet the requirements. In Miami-Dade County, there are many official agencies where you can register in person or get voter registration forms:
Florida Driver License Bureau
Miami-Dade County Public Libraries
Any State public assistance agency
Any agencies that provide assistance to disabled persons
Armed Forces Recruiting Offices
If you need more information regarding the closest agency, or to obtain a form
by mail, please contact the elections department office any weekday between 8
a.m. and 5 p.m., at 305-499-8363.
When you register to vote, an actual residence address is required by law. If you provide a mailing service address, P.O. Box, or business address, the application will not be accepted, and can cause your registration to be declined and/or not processed in time for an election. P.O. Box and other business addresses can be accepted as a mailing addresses only, and not as a residential address.
You may register online using the Voter Registration Application Form provided by the State of Florida Division of Elections. (google the Miami-Dade County Elections Department and click on How to Register for the form and additional information, including how to obtain an absentee ballot). You can print out the form and fill in your information, sign it, and then send the original signed form to:

Supervisor of Elections

P.O. Box 521550

Miami, Florida 33152

 

HOW TO OBTAIN AN ABSENTEE BALLOT

 Already registered to vote but want to request an absentee ballot to ensure you vote? You can obtain an absentee ballot in Florida in person, by mail, phone or on-line. Again, google the Miami-Dade County Elections Department  and click on Absentee Ballot for instructions. Below is a brief summary of the instructions.
 
WELCOME TO THE MIAMI-DADE COUNTY ABSENTEE
BALLOT REQUEST AND RENEWAL SITE
 
You may submit your absentee ballot request or renewal electronically by completing the on-line form.
Once your absentee ballot request or renewal has been successfully processed, you will automatically receive a ballot via U.S. mail.
Additionally, the elections department website allows you to track your absentee ballot.
If you have any questions or require assistance, please contact the Absentee Ballot Unit at 305-499-8444 or via email at abunit@miamidade.gov
You may request an absentee ballot by phone. Call 305 499-8444. You will need to provide: voter’s name, voter’s home address, voter’s date of birth, voter’s email address, and voter’s day time phone number in case of questions. If you want to submit the on-line form via mail, mail to: 

                                     Absentee Ballot Section

                                      P.O. Box 521250

                                      Miami, FL 33152

 

 

Due to re-districting, all Florida legislators are up for-election in 2012. It is also a presidential election year. Please be sure you are registered to vote, and request an absentee ballot for all elections in the event you are unable to get to a polling place on election day. Make sure your voice is heard – every vote counts!
The 2011 Legislative Session was very successful for physicians. After almost 10 years of hard work HB 479, Medical Liability Reform, finally passed. For more details and other legislative accomplishments go to the DCMA website, www.miamimed.com, scroll down to DCMA and FMA – Your Organizations Working for You, and click on the power point presentation.
 
DCMA gets its strength from you – our member physicians. Please encourage your colleagues to join. And please – contact your legislator when the DCMA sends out an email requesting your help.