Page 8 - OPTA Access September 2017 Volume 45, Issue 2

tember 2017 | OPTA
allows easy connections to be made between groups Once you have established a link, you have “access” to a new network of people and this exponentially increases your ability to reach out to others. A breakout session with presenter Brad Fitch was also helpful with strategies about how to present your cause to a representative in the short amount of time that you have Mr Fitch’s presentation was a “Complete Citizen Advocates Toolbox,” and he gave suggestions such as: know the key staff, know the “Hill Speak” jargon, identify
if the legislator is on any committees and to review the representative’s voting history
Before talking with legislators there was a mandatory breakout session which discussed the major topics that we all would be advocating for to our representatives This was my rst time attending the Forum, so I was matched with a veteran advocacy member with experience to help lead the discussion I visited three representative’s of ces to advocate for physical therapy and was able to meet Representative Bill Johnson. After presenting the issues to Mr. Johnson, he asked me questions from the “student perspective ” I told him that we are at a pivotal time period in our profession to enact changes that will make PTs leaders in healthcare. I am part of a generation of therapists that are ready to make change a reality.
We have a unique opportunity in the USA to advocate directly to the legislative bodies; let us not waste this opportunity Everyone needs to feel the call to be involved whether at
the state or national level because it takes just one person
to create a restorm of involvement with others. We need to share our experiences and tell the world the bene ts of what we can do as an
entire profession
of physical
therapists
Student essay winner, Allison Gaier, SPT pictured with Congressman Bill Johnson (R-OH 6th District)
APTA Federal Advocacy Forum Recap
Tyler Veldhuizen, SPT - Ohio University
I was told prior to attending the national APTA Federal Advocacy Forum that I would be required to write an essay detailing my experience What I didn’t grapple with was what I would actually write. I could work my way through each day of the conference, packed with fascinating speakers, palate- pleasing platters, and all sorts of sincerely interesting people I could tell you about the seasoned political commentator cracking quip after quip of tales of former presidents, or a former terrorist counter-intelligence of cer’s breakdown of the power players within the Trump administration, or about
the energizing discussions over integrated healthcare models and the future of PT, or getting to meet senators
and representatives But come on, no one wants to read an event list! So instead I will share my three largest takeaways from my time in DC, as well as why you should go next year
1) The OPTA is awesome. No, I am not just saying that because I am writing this essay for them Every single Ohio representative was engaging, encouraging, and was in D C to truly make a difference for the PT profession. To hear where Ohio is at in regard to physical therapy autonomy and legislation compared to other states made me proud to be an Ohioan Personally, the chance to meet other Ohio PT professionals and learn from them was invaluable If you are a student reading this, don’t underestimate this aspect
2) Advocacy really matters. If we don’t make our voices heard, there are plenty of other groups willing to ll that space If we believe in physical therapy, then we owe
it to ourselves to put in the extra effort to be advocates for the profession. Think about the people in your life that you would be willing to help out if they needed a favor Chances are those are people you have actually interacted with Representatives and Senators are no different; if they know who you are, they will listen to you This only happens through individuals deciding to take extra effort to advocate for physical therapy
3) The PT profession has an opportunity. There was a decent amount of talk about the dif culties of payment
as well as the murmuring from the health care world about the over-use of physical therapy For those who haven’t heard the statistics, healthcare costs, overall, have risen 1% while PT costs have risen 9% Despite this, the opportunity available to us is tremendous We can be the integral pieces in new healthcare models if we are just bold enough to take a couple steps First, we must contribute to the collection of data to prove the relevance of our work. This step requires courage, like the emperor stepping out knowing there is a chance he has no clothes on But again, if we truly believe in the work we do, we must risk the chance that the data
will show we have no impact in order to prove that we do Secondly, we must claim that impact as our own Most physical therapists are not out seeking praise. That’s not why we do the job However, if we are going to be at the forefront of healthcare innovation, we need to loudly and proudly proclaim the change that we create
These are merely the three largest items that stuck out to me There are many other facts and lessons, moments and memories that cannot be shared in such a short post
If you have never been to this conference, or even the Ohio advocacy day, please consider going this year Not only will you contribute to an essential and often-overlooked aspect of physical therapy, but you will nd your own passion for the profession stirred You will meet amazing people who are all there for the same purpose as you: to promote physical therapy among our nation’s leaders The future is bright for PT, let’s advocate for our light. Big thanks to OPTA for sponsoring me to go to the conference It was truly an unforgettable experience
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