Advocacy Updates
SAN ANTONIO—
It’s a presidential election year, which means it’s an important time for APTA. A new administration will impact efforts to bring changes to the physical therapy field. In addition, the current economic recession and budget deficits in some states will impact the association’s legislative efforts. APTA’s focus in the state house in the coming months will include:
- Direct access
- PTA licensure
- Protection from infringement
- Referral for profit
- PT Practice Act Modernization
- Legislative, advocacy and grass roots support to state chapters
CMS, which implements health care regulations, plans to focus on the following:
- An alternate system for payment for outpatient services
o This includes a post-acute care assessment tool to identify patient placement in SNF, IRG and home health
o Data will be collected from hospitals
- More uniform policies for Medicare Part A and B Services
- Identification of quality measures for PTs for pay for performance
- Exemptions from DMEPOS for PTs accreditation
- Changes to SNF PPS system
As a new administration approaches, many states will continue to take matters not addressed by the federal government into their own hands.
“A lot of states are getting tired of waiting for the federal government,” said Justin Elliot of the APTA. “They’re saying, ‘If you’re not going to take care of it, we will.’”