Page 35 - OPTA Access Spring 2019

Federal Affairs Liaison Report David Wessells, PT - Chair
At the time I am writing this article we are in day 32 of the partial government shutdown and temperatures are near zero . In this chilly environment, physical therapists across the country are preparing to bring
some warmth to DC twice this winter . Combined Sections Meeting (CSM) has brought thousands of PTs to the capital, and in late March the Federal Advocacy Forum is another chance for PTs to make a difference
in DC . Although many government workers are not on the job, APTA advocacy workers have not stopped their efforts to move our legislative issues forward . Our federal affairs team in Washington is continuing to push policy priorities including adding PTs to the National Health Service Corps loan repayment program, expanding coverage for PT in telehealth, addressing physician self-referral, reducing administrative burdens, protecting PT as an essential health benefit and advocating for sustainable payment systems for physical therapy, including prevention of 85% payment rule for physical therapist assistants .
While it often seems that not much is getting done in Washington these days, we have opportunities to highlight our profession’s ability to bring creative solutions to a hot button issue, the opioid crisis . This issue is creating task forces and legislative proposals at the federal and state level . The APTA has been an active participant in task forces and has submitted legislative proposals that support alternative treatment approaches to chronic pain including physical therapy . The #ChoosePT campaign is an opportunity to share with legislators, patients, and families about PTs’ role in pain control
and prevention . We are uniquely positioned
as a provider that can address this issue effectively with greater long-term success than pharmacologic interventions and at lesser costs to the system than surgical approaches .
While the team in DC is working hard, we need your help . Legislators want to hear from their own constituents that live and work in their districts . Consider joining us in DC for the Federal Advocacy Forum where hundreds of PTs will converge to meet with their congressional representatives
and senators to educate them about our profession and our policy priorities . More information can be found at: www .apta .org/FederalForum/ . Also, we need more “key contacts” in Ohio to develop relationships with their representatives at the district level, invite them to visit their work place, meet with them at their district office, and educate them how physical therapists are helping their constituents every day . If you are interested in participating in this way, please email me at david .wessells@nationwidechildrens .org .
We have experienced some wins in 2018 including PTA payment in Tricare with the final rule awaiting signature, as well as passage of the Sports Medicine Licensure Clarity Act . However, we have so much more to fight for in 2019 and APTA will continue to fight for bipartisan legislation that benefits patients, families, and therapists even in the face of a divided government . I look forward to continuing to serve you in this effort this year . Come and join me!
For more information, contact David at:
david.wessells@nationwidechildrens.org
Sports SIG Report Jeffrey Swiers, PT, DPT, OCS, C-OMPT - Chair
Happy New Year everyone! We at the Sports SIG hope that you are having a great start to 2019 . The
Sports SIG has continued to grow and continues to post weekly articles from multiple sources such as JOSPT, Sports Health, IJSPT, and from the BJSM . These articles follow with the most current literature regarding patient treatment, clinical trial information, and imaging . Imaging is a growing area within physical therapy as well as moving forward articles that may include population health and nutrition . As we move forward, we would like to encourage comments and discussion on these weekly articles and to facilitate a community of students, physical therapists, and physical therapist assistants . We are looking for suggestions and your opinion – would you be interested in a Sports PT Podcast? Please let us know!
Please continue to check out our Facebook page: Ohio Physical Therapy Association: Sports SIG for continued updates and please stop by and “Like” the page to continue to obtain new and updated information regarding Sports Physical Therapy .
For more information, contact Jeff at: jswiers11@gmail.com
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