Chapter Lobby Day a Success! PT Legislation Introduced

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Albany, NY 12205
Phone: 518-459-4499
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Chapter Lobby Day a Success! PT Legislation Introduced

Dear Chapter Colleagues;

On Tuesday, April 15, over 180 PT/PTA students, PTs and PTAs were in Albany to talk with the Legislature on issues facing the physical therapy profession in New York. Your colleagues met with Senate and Assembly member staff, along with the legislators themselves to voice our concern over several current issues. On behalf of the membership, I want to thank everyone who attended this most important activity of the chapter. As a professional membership organization, we are only as successful as the level of active participation of our members and on Lobby Day we were very successful!

NYPTA Submits Legislation
The chapter has again introduced legislation designed to eliminate the specialist designation by insurance companies that poses a barrier to access to physical therapy treatment and increases dramatically the co-payment that patients have to pay when we provide care. In addition, this bill also addresses issues related to financial incentives that utilization management companies have to restrict our care. We are also asking that insurers must notify us 60 days before any change in utilization management companies can take effect. (read the bill)

In addition to the above bill, the Chapter has also introduced legislation to require the Workers’ Compensation Board to review their rates and speak with us before they set the rates on an annual basis. This bill also would make the services of a PTA, under the direction and supervision of a PT, covered under Workers’ Compensation. Direct access under Workers’ Compensation is also included in this bill.(read the bill)

Mandatory Continuing Education
Following the direction of the Board of Directors and the Delegate Assembly, the Chapter will be introducing legislation establishing mandatory continuing education for physical therapists and physical therapist assistants. The bill is currently being drafted, and as soon as it is introduced you will be able to read it online at the chapter website.

Other Legislative / Regulatory Activities
We are constantly monitoring other bills that affect our practice. As the state budget has just been passed, this legislative session will now begin to deliberate other bills. We will be looking at all activity related to physical therapy. Please watch your e-mails and check the website for updates and requests for action on your part in contacting your legislator. We are also continuing to look at regulatory remedies through discussions with the Department of Health and the Department of Insurance.

How You Can Help
Not only do we want all our members to actively participate in the Chapter and the legislative process, we want you to participate in our PT PAC. If every member gave just $10 we would more than double our current PAC balance. We cannot, by law, use member dues for this activity so it is essential that a strong PAC balance is available to meet our legislative needs. You can follow this link or call the Chapter Office at 1-800-459-4489 to find out how you can contribute today.

The chapter is strong, dynamic and moving forward. Our next Chapter Board of Directors Meeting and Delegate Assembly are coming up on May 1-3 in Albany. I look forward to seeing many of you there.

Happy Spring, My Friends

Jim Dunleavy PT, MS
President, NYPTA

APTA

The New York Physical Therapy Association (NYPTA) is a non-profit professional organization composed of approximately 5,000 licensed physical therapists (PTs), physical therapist assistants (PTAs) and PT/PTA students. The NYPTA is dedicated to serving the public's health interests, improving the standard of health for people of all ages, and advancing the interests of physical therapists in the State of New York.