Nearly 200 PTs, PTAs, and PT/PTA students visited our national capitol in Washington, D.C. at the end of April this year to speak with legislators about supporting issues that affect PTs and students around the country. About 20% of attendees this year were STUDENTS! That is a fantastic number.
A major issue that PTs are lobbying for now pertains to students. We are asking for the right of PTs to participate in an already existing program through the National Health Service Corps (http://nhsc.hrsa.gov/), under which graduates may qualify for up to $50,000 worth of loan forgiveness for working in an under-served area.
Other issues at the federal level include: Medicare Direct Access - (H.R. 1829/ S. 950), Medicare Therapy Cap Repeal - (H.R. 43 / S. 46), and Veterans PT Services Improvement Act (H.R. 1036).
Janna Ott, Eastern Washington University student from the class of 2011 had this to say about the APTA Federal Advocacy Forum:
It is so easy to be oblivious to the issues of our profession when you are stuck in the "bubble" of school. However, attending the APTA forum was a fabulous way to learn about the Health Care Reform and the issues facing physical therapists. I was rejuvenated by the camaraderie of physical therapists from all over the country and inspired by participating in the processes of our government and the positive responses from most of my senators & representatives. Finally, it was wonderful to network with other students and to learn about the ways we can be involved (such as running for APTA student officer positions).
Click here to join PTeam, and get up-to-date legislative action alerts and easy links to send your legislators requests for support on the issues that affect physical therapy: www.apta.org/pteam/
For more information about how you can participate in legislative issues that pertain to students, email: students.ptwa@gmail.com
Thursday, May 6, 2010
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