06/27/2025
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (STATE PODIATRY NEWS)
From: Legislative Affairs Committee NYSPMA Board of Trustees
We are writing in response to Dr. Chaskin and Dr. Kass' recent editorials concerning the new podiatric law in New York State. As always, we ALL have our right to our opinions and PM News decides what and whom to publish. However, the information needs to be factual and the public has a right to decide what they read. In this situation, it is important to note the critique from Dr. Kass, who unfortunately is not a member of the New York State Podiatric Medical Association, is reflective of his individual perspective and does not contribute to the proactive dialogue necessary for our field.
The recently passed law empowers ALL podiatrists, regardless of their certification, to now diagnose and treat diseases and injuries of the ANKLE and foot, including performing...
Editor's note: This extended-length letter can be read here. This topic is now closed.
06/26/2025
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (STATE PODIATRY NEWS)
From: Jeffrey Kass, DPM
I’d like to thank Dr. Chaskin for informing readership that a NY scope bill was passed by the House and Senate and is awaiting signature by the Governor to be put into law. Unfortunately, the bill falls short once again of helping out the average podiatrist in the state. If you are not board certified, the bill does not help you. If you are board certified by the American Board of Podiatric Medicine, the bill does not help you. If you are board certified by the American Board of Podiatric and Surgery in foot surgery, the bill does not help you. The bill only helps those and changes things for those with a standard ankle or advanced ankle permit.
It’s interesting how a non-board certified podiatrist can legally perform a triple arthrodesis, but can’t prescribe a topical steroid for a rash on the calf. However, in contrast, one must be board certified in...
Editor's note: Dr. Kass' extended-length letter can be read here.
06/23/2025
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (STATE PODIATRY NEWS)
From: Daniel Chaskin, DPM
Here is some language from the recent NY Scope Bill passed by the Assembly and the Senate: "The practice of podiatry may also include [diagnosing, treating,] operating [and prescribing] for any disease, injury, deformity, or other condition of the ankle and soft tissue of the leg below the tibial tuberosity if the podiatrist has obtained an issuance of a privilege to perform podiatric standard ankle surgery or advanced ankle surgery [Emphasis added] in accordance with section seven thousand nine of this article."
My personal opinion is that the above language discriminates against any podiatrist who is board certified in podiatric medicine. In order to give podiatric medical care to the soft tissue below the tibial tuberosity, yet above the ankle, a NYS podiatrist must be board certified in "surgery". Any law that prevents podiatric medicine to be practiced by requiring board certification by a "surgical board" makes no sense and is discriminatory based upon one's choosing to be board certified in podiatric medicine.
Daniel Chaskin, DPM, Ridgewood, NY
02/09/2024
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (STATE PODIATRY NEWS)
From: Wenjay Sung, DPM, Don Blum, DPM, JD
We pay a little under $300 for 3 docs in Arcadia, CA (suburb of Los Angeles). Our population is only 55k which may be why we are paying less than in Little Rock, AR.
Wenjay Sung, DPM, Arcadia CA
The City of Sacramento does not issue a business license. All businesses that operate in the City of Sacramento or do business with the City of Sacramento must pay a business operation tax. Visit the City’s Online Data Portal for a searchable list of businesses in the city who are paying operation taxes. Follow the steps below to apply for your business operation tax account.
The City of Sacramento does not issue a general business license, but does require all businesses that operate in the City of Sacramento to obtain a Business Operations Tax certificate.
Don Blum, DPM, JD, Dallas, TX
07/10/2023
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (STATE PODIATRY NEWS)
From: Jeffrey Kass, DPM
Congratulations to ABPM and Lee Rogers, DPM on their battle in Oregon fighting the unfair law relegating only those board certified by ABFAS in RRA. The qualification to perform ankle surgery should not be based on board certification but rather training and competency.
I am wondering if someone can expound on the Oregon law now for those there that did not complete 36-month residencies. Is there a pathway for those with 1-2 year residencies who have or receive training to be licensed as well?
Jeffrey Kass, DPM, Forest Hills, NY
05/03/2022
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (STATE PODIATRY NEWS)
From: Richard M. Cowin, DPM
I would like to extend my congratulations to my ICPM Class of 1980 Classmate, Marc Klein, DPM on his appointment to the Florida Board of Podiatric Medicine by our wonderful Governor Ron DeSantis. Marc is a wonderful person and a fabulous practitioner and I’m sure that he, like the other highly qualified recent appointees to the Board, will serve the State of Florida fairly and honorably.
Richard M. Cowin, DPM, Orlando, FL
07/08/2021
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (STATE PODIATRY NEWS)
From: Clifford Wolf, DPM
I read with interest the decision in the state of Pennsylvania that a podiatrist may act as supervisor for a CRNA. I was unaware of this law and its passage before I read what you have reported. Can someone from PPMA let me know what this law is and what enabled its passage and what are the podiatrists’ responsibility. Are orthopedic surgeons in PA held to the same standards?
This is so infuriating. It seems a legal precedent has been set that I have no knowledge of. And what differentiates law in CA from PA law is what I would like explained. We all know shit goes south fast. I have enough to worry about. Am I now responsible to supervise CRNAs?
Clifford Wolf, DPM, Oceanside, CA
Editor's Comment: PM News does not provide legal advice. Every state has the power to enact laws that affect health providers, but these laws do not affect practitioners in other states.
04/09/2018
RESPONSES/COMMENTS (STATE PODIATRY NEWS)
RE: SC Podiatry Scope of Practice Bill Passes SC House of Representatives
From: William Harris IV, DPM
The South Carolina Podiatry Scope of Practice bill (H.3622) passed through the SC House of Representatives on April 5, 2018. The bill will allow podiatrists in SC to perform rearfoot and ankle surgeries distal to the myotendinous junction. The bill will now be sent to the SC Senate and assigned to the Senate Medical Affairs Committee. We would like to thank all the SCPMA and APMA members who have put their time and effort into this endeavor.
William Harris IV, DPM, President- South Carolina Podiatric Medical Association
