The Florida Legislature has advanced the Emily Adkins Family Protection Act, a bipartisan measure designed to enhance emergency care procedures, training, and patient screening for life-threatening blood clots, including pulmonary embolisms. Having passed both the Florida House and Senate, the legislation is now awaiting approval from Governor Ron DeSantis.
This pioneering law is named in remembrance of Emily Elizabeth Adkins, a 23-year-old whose untimely death from a blood clot could have been avoided with proper screening. The bill signals significant progress in protecting residents from one of the frequently overlooked medical emergencies.
Under the act, hospitals are mandated to adopt clot risk screening protocols, enhance the training of emergency and post-acute care providers, and report data to bolster prevention efforts across the state.
Senator Yarborough expressed his sentiments, stating, “It is an esteemed honor to have worked on this milestone piece of legislation that we believe will help save the lives of more Floridians.” He also extended his gratitude to Doug and Janet Adkins and Emily’s Promise for their dedication in bringing this initiative to fruition.
Representative Black commented, “This bill builds on the work we have done with the Blood Clot and Pulmonary Embolism Workgroup and honors the memory of Emily Adkins. It will save lives in Florida and set an example for other states.”
Doug Adkins, Emily’s father and CEO of Emily’s Promise, shared his perspective: “I lost my daughter to something that should have been caught. No parent should have to go through that. This bill is about giving families a fighting chance, so no one has to wonder ‘what if’ like we do every day.”
Emily’s Promise expressed appreciation for Senator Clay Yarborough, Representative Dean Black, and the 42 co-sponsors for their leadership and empathy in advocating for this crucial legislation, turning the personal loss of the Adkins family into substantial progress across Florida.
The CEO of the Florida Health Care Association, Emmett Reed, acknowledged the importance of the legislation, saying, “Janet and Doug Adkins have long been part of the FHCA family, and we’re proud to honor Emily’s memory through this important legislation. Pulmonary embolisms are a serious but preventable risk, especially for seniors, where underlying conditions and immobility are more common. This bill is a powerful reminder that smarter screening and better training can make all the difference.”
The passage of the bill has been warmly received by supporters statewide, including public health advocates and patient safety organizations, who view it as a significant, life-saving advancement.