RA Update: International Fieldwork, Licensure Standards for Re-entry Get Favorable Comments

EJ Brown — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 02:15:00 GMT

On day 4 of the 2009 Representative Assembly, the body is still awaiting passage of Consent Agenda Y, which recommends defeat of three orginal motions with which task groups (TGs) have replaced some substitute motions. They are: Motion 1 , which would...(read more)

Results of the ADVANCE 2009 Survey of Issues Facing State Occupational Therapy Associations

EJ Brown — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 01:56:00 GMT

State association officers across the country who participated in a recent issues survey told us of myriad challenges they will have this year on two fronts: finding and fighting legislatve encroachment from other disciplines and keeping their own numbers up and their coffers full.

The cover story in our March 2 edition focuses on the details of these issues, some of which are new challenges from unlikely places. Many are continuing battles that have become turf wars over reimbursement as much as scope of practice.

Thirty percent of the 50 states responded to the online questionnaire, sent out in January. Virtually two-thirds of those respondents said they were monitoring or fighting athletic trainers' associations attempting to gain licensure for their profession to practice as rehab providers. Some are trying to change the definition of "athlete" to "anyone who is active" in order to claim status as a rehab provider. Vermont has already passed a law forcing insurance companies to pay ATs for such work. In many states OT associations, working with PT and speech-language pathology, have held fast the gate in initial encounters, but every year the task becomes harder. Meanwhile, recreation therapists are also pushing to be recognized as using "life activities" as tools and goals in their work, taking it beyond the leisure arena. In some places pediatric occupational therapists are losing Medicaid reimbursement.

States evaluated their goals for 2009, many wanting to work on member recruitment, retention and leadership training as well as increasing continuing education offerings. Ten percent of respondants were also in the process of trying to upgrade their practice acts to reflect
AOTA's model act.

Even when smaller states maintain a 50-percent enrollment, they don't have enough to hire legislative watchdogs. Staying informed becomes an overwhelming task. Most states still have only a 10- to 30-percent membership enrollment. To find out what you can do to help your state association, read Jill Glomstad's March 2 cover, available this week in the print and digital editions. Also look for an upcoming audio interview with an experienced OT lobbyist who will give her advice on how smaller states can keep up with legislative challenges and initiatives.

ADVANCE Outlook: OT : Licensure/Certification

RA Update: International Fieldwork, Licensure Standards for Re-entry Get Favorable Comments

Results of the ADVANCE 2009 Survey of Issues Facing State Occupational Therapy Associations