FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 9, 2014

Contact: Communications Office
(850) 245-4111

TALLAHASSEE—The Florida Department of Health’s Unlicensed Activity (ULA) Unit and the Florida Department of Education’s Bureau of Federal Educational Programs-Migrant Education Program (MEP) have recently partnered to fight unlicensed health care activity in Florida. The unlicensed practice of a health care profession is a felony and causes serious harm to Floridians. Many victims of ULA come from underserved populations and migrant communities.

“The Department of Health is committed to preventing harm to Florida’s children, adults, and families from unlicensed health care professionals,” said State Surgeon General and Secretary of Health Dr. John Armstrong. “By collaborating with the Department of Education, we will raise awareness across Florida’s communities about the importance of verifying a current and relevant license from a health care professional before receiving care.”

“Floridians should be confident they are receiving licensed medical services,” said Education Commissioner Pam Stewart. “This joint agency team has developed resources and educational materials that should help all Floridians detect unlicensed activity and make our communities safer.”

The goal of this partnership is to educate Florida’s migrant population about the dangers of ULA. Health care consumers can help fight unlicensed activity by:

• Visiting www.FlHealthSource.com to conveniently view the license information of their health care practitioner;
• Anonymously filing a complaint by completing a complaint form available online or by calling 1-877-HALT-ULA or 1-888-419-3456.

The Department of Health’s ULA Unit protects Florida residents and visitors from the potentially serious and dangerous consequences of receiving health care services from an unlicensed person. The Department’s Division of Medical Quality Assurance (MQA) investigates and refers for criminal prosecution all unlicensed health care activity complaints and allegations. The ULA works in conjunction with law enforcement and the state attorney’s offices to prosecute individuals practicing without a license. Receiving health care from unlicensed people is dangerous and could result in further injury, disease or even death.

Working in conjunction with 22 boards and six councils, MQA regulates seven types of facilities and 200-plus license types in more than 40 healthcare professions. MQA evaluates the credentials of all applicants for licensure, issues licenses, analyzes and investigates complaints, inspects facilities, assists in prosecuting practice act violations, combats unlicensed activity and provides credential and discipline history about licensees to the public. Visit www.FlHealthSource.com for additional information about MQA.

The Department works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts. Follow us on Twitter at @HealthyFla and on Facebook. For more information about the Florida Department of Health please visit www.floridahealth.gov.