APTA Federal Advocacy Challenge

APTA Advocacy Challenge Our challenge to physical therapy students in all academic programs nationwide to get involved in legislative advocacy at the state, local, and federal levels. Make a legislative visit and educate your local policy makers about the issues effecting the physical therapy profession. Become more knowledgeable about politics and how they affect us and the patients we serve.

· To read more about the Federal Advocacy Forum visit Advocacy at APTA.org and click on the FAF capitol dome icon. (Full meeting agenda to be posted by April 3).

The “Costs” Nitty Gritty – or what to ask for help with!

· Registration : Student FAF Registration is $75

· Housing: Reservation Deadline April 15th APTA Housing Block rate at the Crowne Plaza in Alexandria, VA approximately $130/night, up to 4 in one room – no extra charge

· Airfare, airport to hotel transport, food, transport from hotel or capitol hill to airport for departing flight

PTWA is ready to help students meet the APTA Advocacy Challenge! There’s not much time …BUT -

· We will help one student physical therapist assistant and two student physical therapists with expenses.

o If we have many interested, we will draw names to achieve 3 students representing three different schools.

· Each student will have up to $400 for an advocacy scholarship and must be responsible for expenses over this amount through solicitation of a) friends and family, b) contributions from individual physical therapists c) physical therapist practices

· Students as with all forum attendees need to register and be able to make housing arrangements by April 15th.

· If approved participating student advocates elect to put the $400 towards airfare and have a receipt, they can submit for reimbursement to PTWA.

All students interested must contact PTWA’s Federal Affairs Liaison Sharon McCallum to submit your name as an interested potential PTWA sponsored student advocate.

Other important things to know.

When: The Forum begins Sunday May 17th at noon and ends Tuesday May 19th after your afternoon congressional visits. Do not make any appointments with legislators until you have been approved to be a PTWA sponsored student advocate at FAF 2009.

CEU’s: are awarded after the forum - .7 – 1.0 have been awarded in the past

Programming – Always dynamic!

· Our key legislation is presented so all are comfortable and prepared to meet with legislators. There are typically additional topical presentations added in by invited legislators and frequently DC dignitaries and media commentators.

· There is always some food provided during the forum, this year we will have a Monday evening reception with light hor d’oeurves and breakfast on Capitol Hill at a Senate office buildings. The Crowne Plaza is within walking distance of Old Towne Alexandria where there is a potential for groceries, fast food or sit-down dine in fare.

· The PT - PAC event is Sunday evening and is $35. (for both student and therapists) From 7:30 – 10:30 pm we will cruise up the Potomac on a Cherry Blossom Boat to view the monuments.

Direct access news video from Pittsburgh Pennsylvania

I wish every news station showed this!

http://www.thepittsburghchannel.com/video/18891587/index.html

Northwest Region Leadership Development Seminar

Saturday, April 4, 2009
The Heathman Lodge
Vancouver, Washington

Featured Presenter: Aimee Klein, PT, APTA Board of Directors

Cost: FREE, must register by 3/26/09

This one-day seminar is designed for current and emerging
component leaders but student attendance is strongly encouraged.
We will strategize alternative ways of operating to streamline processes and work optimally with
others. We will identify ways to turn a strategic plan into action
items and gain a better understanding of how chapters and
National work together to promote Vision 2020. There will be
opportunities to share what works and what doesn’t in each of
your components. Learn how to make a difference!

For full information and registration form contact:
Brett Neilson, APTA Student Assembly Representative at aptasa_nc1@hotmail.com

President Obama Outlines Health Care Reform Goals

President Obama in his address to Congress Tuesday night laid out his agenda for the coming year, including passage of health care reform in 2009. His budget, released yesterday, creates a reserve fund of $634 billion to partially pay for a vast expansion of the US health care system. The president's plan includes provisions to trim tax breaks for the wealthy and tightening payments to insurers, hospitals, and physicians to help pay for the fund.

Obama said he wants health care reform to take place in a bipartisan atmosphere and spoke of the necessity of compromise. In that spirit, he will be hosting a bipartisan health care summit on March 4.

APTA will be actively involved in the health care reform debate and in influencing the crafting of any legislation. Updates and new information will be provided in PT Bulletin and posted at APTA's Health Care Reform Resource Center.

See other related topics at PT Bulletin Online

University of Washington Rehabilitation Job Fair, April 4th

The University of Washington Department of Rehabilitation Medicine will be having a job fair for all PT, OT, PTA, and OTA students and professionals on Saturday April 4, 2009, from 1-4pm, at the University of Washington South Campus Center in Seattle. Last year, more than 130 students and 55 employers from throughout the Northwest attended the Job Fair, and attendance is expected to increase again this year. All PT and OT students as well as OTA and PTA students who are interested in employment are invited. This is a great opportunity to meet with employers from throughout Washington State and the Northwest. For more information on the Job Fair, go to: http://rehabjob.wordpress.com/ or email: rehabjob@u.washington.edu.

Manipulation bill in the House!

Our manipulation bill now has a companion in the House: HB 1918. Sponsors are Reps Liias, Warnick, Ericksen, Upthegrove, Kagi, Hunt, Hinkle and Williams. Although it’s not showing up on the bill search page yet it will be there soon. Here’s the Senate version page:

Legislative Impact Day

On January 22nd, 2009, 625 physical therapist joined together in Olympia at our state capitol to rally support for SB 5230, removal of the prohibition on spinal manipulation.



See the full article from the Seattle Times