Advocacy
FEDERAL ADVOCACY UPDATE April 2024
APTA Capitol Hill Day was amazing! APTA NH sent two representatives to Washington, DC April 14-16, 2024 to discuss important professional issues with our legislators.
You can find detailed talking points for these meetings on the APTA Action App.
APTA Capitol Hill Day Talking Points included:
Economic Value of Physical Therapy is noted in a newly released report from the APTA that showcases the cost effectiveness and economic value of physical therapist services for a broad range of common conditions. The report, “The Economic Value of Physical Therapy in the United States” can be found at apta.org/news
Payment Reform – Strengthening Medicare for Patients and Providers Act (H.R. 2474) which will provide an annual inflationary payment update to the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule conversion factor by tying it to the Medicare economic Index (MEI).
Falls Prevention – SAFE Act: Stopping Addiction and Falls in the Elderly Act (H.R. 7618) is aimed at expanding and increasing access to falls screening and prevention to reduce the use of opioids that often occur as a result of a fall.
Telehealth - Expanded Telehealth Access Act (H.R. 3875/S. 2880) would add physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, and other therapy providers in private practice, as well as facility-based outpatient therapy providers under Medicare Part B, as permanent authorized providers of telehealth services under Medicare.
If you could not attend Capitol Hill Day, please consider making your voice heard by contacting
Congress at www.apta.org/advocacy/take-action
Contact APTA NH Board Member, Tracie Adams
ADVOCACY AFFAIRS – February 2024
How to Get Involved!
One way that you can easily advocate and take an active role in the PT profession at the federal and state level is to download the APTA Action app. While we encourage everyone to support the PT profession through their membership with APTA, you do not need to be an APTA member to use the app and have a voice. Taking action via the app typically takes 1-2 minutes and has the latest information on legislation that affects you. Below is the link to download the app:
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/apta-action/id727008540
Payment and Legislative Updates
Advocacy Makes a Difference!!! Please join us in asking members of congress to cosponsor the Empower Act and support PTAs.
Medicare permits general supervision of physical therapist assistants by physical therapists in all settings — except for outpatient private practice under Part B, which requires direct supervision. Physical therapists and physical therapist assistants are governed by their state's practice act and must follow their state licensure requirements if they are more stringent than Medicare’s. However, 49 states permit "general supervision" of physical therapist assistants in outpatient practices, making Medicare’s direct supervision requirement in that setting more burdensome than most state licensure requirements.
Please use the link below to add your voice by connecting to your congressional representatives and asking for their support. The link below will take you to the APTA Patient Action Center. Thank you in advance for taking action to further our profession and support PTAs.
https://www.apta.org/advocacy/take-action/patient-action-center
Contact APTA NH Board Member, Tracie Adams
State Legislative
The NH state legislature is in session and actively working through hundreds of proposed bills. APTA NH has been closely following many of these bills and at this point in the session were are down to following about 20 bills. This month, we would like to highlight one bill in particular that could have a potentially significant impact on physical therapy practice in NH.
HB1676-FN: Establishing a Sunset Commission to Evaluate Various Occupational Boards and Commissions, and Sunsetting Various Boards and Commissions. In its current form, this bill could convey the legislative authority to “sunset” a significant number of professional boards, including the Physical Therapy Governing Board in 2030.
The protection of our patients is paramount. This bill could alter the ability for therapists to practice critical self-governed oversight. There is no entity better positioned to oversee the appropriate application of the education, training and conduct of physical therapists and physical therapist assistants in the State of NH than a board of our peers, the Physical Therapy Governing Board.
Shortly, APTA NH will be asking for you to join us in opposing this bill through communication and outreach to your NH representatives. If you haven’t already, this is a great time to download the APTA Action App that will afford access and information related to important issues affecting the physical therapy profession in our state.
Finally, pertaining to the recent correspondence from OPLC that updated the regulations surrounding continuing competence as part of license renewal, we are working with contacts at the state to determine a definitive answer regarding the acceptance of distance/online courses.
For more information on this and other pending bills, go to www.nh.gov , put your cursor over the “Government” tab at the top of the webpage and click on NH State Legislature from the dropdown list. You can enter bill numbers like the one above or do a keyword search for bills to access more information. Please feel free to reach out to us at www.nhapta.org for more information or to get involved.
APTA NH State Legislative Committee contact, Mark Mailloux
Federal Legislation
Regulatory Review | Prior Authorization Win: CMS Finalizes Tighter Payer Rules | APTA
Medicare Fee Schedule
APTA Patient Action Center | APTA
*Use this link to get to the APTA Patient Action Center or the Legislative Center.
Articles of Interest:
News | 2024 Fee Schedule Calculator Now Available to APTA Members | APTA
Contact our Federal Affairs Liaison, Amanda Packard
July 2023
APTA NH hopes you are enjoying summer fun and much needed vacations!
The APTA is sponsoring Capital Hill Day July 24-25, 2023. Representatives from your state professional organizations are meeting with members of Congress to discuss priority legislative issues. This is an opportunity for training, networking, and advocating for our profession.
When legislators hear from members they listen, especially if the number of members contacting them is impressive. Being louder really does help get attention! Please go to your App Store and download the APTA Action App so your voice can be added to others and we can be heard.
Start at http://www.apta.org/advocacy/take-action
Other Advocacy opportunities can be found in the following Action Centers.
· Legislative Action Center. APTA members can log in to the Legislative Action Center to send prewritten messages to their legislators.
· Patient Action Center. Nonmembers and the public can use the Patient Action Center to send prewritten messages to their legislators.
· Regulatory Action Center. Congress isn't the only group that needs to hear from you. Use the Regulatory Action Center to access template letters for contacting the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and other regulators.
On June 21, APTA, AOTA, and ASHA issued a joint statement on policy principles for Medicare reform to outpatient therapy based on our associations aligned policy principles.
As Congress seeks to potentially reform the Medicare Fee Schedule, the APTA and the APTA Public Policy & Advocacy Committee have been exploring potential policy principles specific to outpatient therapy, which we believe should be included in any legislative package that reforms the fee schedule. APTA has also been collaborating with AOTA and ASHA to identify areas of alignment and agreement.
Policy Principles for Outpatient Therapy Reform under the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (apta.org)
APTA 2023 State Medicaid Payment Rate Guide
The Hub : Forums : APTA 2023 State Medicaid Payment Rate Guide Now Available
June 2023
PT Compact Legislation Gains Support
H.R. 1310, the States Handling Access to Reciprocity for Employment (SHARE) Act, was introduced by Reps. Tracey Mann, R-Kan., and Joe Neguse, D-Colo. The SHARE act would ensure that federal background checks are completed so PTs can participate in the PT compact and provide critical therapy care for patients in multiple states, and especially for those in medically underserved areas. This bipartisan bill is already co-sponsored by 18 members of Congress.
apta-positionpaper-shareact-hr1310.pdf
The PT Compact Bill was recently passed in VT.
Optimizing Postpartum Outcomes Act
On April 6, Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., and Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester, D-Del., reintroduced the Optimizing Postpartum Outcomes Act in the House of Representatives. This APTA- supported bipartisan legislation is aimed at increasing awareness of the importance of pelvic health physical therapy. The legislation would require CMS to issue guidance on prenatal and postpartum pelvic health physical therapy under Medicaid and CHIP.
Increasing Awareness of Pelvic Health Physical Therapy (apta.org)
Please check out these other links for other important advocacy efforts going on right now!
News | APTA-Backed Bipartisan Legislation Aims to Help PTs Avoid Interruptions in Care | APTANews | APTA, Other Groups, Urge Short- and Long-Term Fixes to 'Broken' Fee Schedule | APTA
News | Final MA Rule Solidifies Prior Authorization Wins | APTA
Thank you to APTA members who helped with this legislation!
Contact our Federal Affairs Liaison, Amanda Packard
May 2023
Congressional Update
Take Action:
Strengthening Medicare for Patients and Providers Act (H.R. 2474) introduced. This bipartisan bill would allow for an annual inflationary update to the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule. This would help stabilize the Fee Schedule and is a great first step for true reform. Take action on this bill by visiting the Legislative and Patient Action Centers. APTA Patient Action Center | APTA
Fraud Elimination Bill Introduced: A bill we are endorsing and monitoring is on electromyography and cutting down fraud and abuse with mobile labs. The bill is called the Electrodiagnostic Medicine Patient Protection and Fraud Elimination Act (H.R. 2639).
Pelvic Health Bill: The Optimizing Postpartum Outcomes Act (H.R. 2480) would help raise awareness on the importance of pelvic health physical therapy for postpartum mothers. Take action on this bill by visiting the Legislative and Patient Action Centers. APTA Patient Action Center | APTA
Regulatory Update
FY 2024 IRF Proposed Rule: The Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility (IRF) proposed rule has only major payment updates; 3.7%payment increase. There is an inflationary update using updated data.
FY 2024 SNF Proposed Rule: The Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) rule also contains an inflationary update and includes a proposed estimated $1.2 billion increase in payments to SNFs. We were expecting minimum staffing requirements in the rule but they are not currently.
Thank you to APTA members who helped with this legislation!
Contact our Federal Affairs Liaison, Amanda Packard
Join us July 24-25 for APTA Capitol Hill Day.
The kick off the event starts with mandatory advocacy training at 4:00 p.m. ET on July 24 that will take place at the host hotel, the Omni Shoreham in Washington, DC. You will learn about the issues we are advocating for, how to be a successful advocate, and meet with others attending from your state to prepare for your meetings.
Registration is open today! Learn more and don’t miss your chance to raise your voice on Capitol Hill.
April 2023
Articles of Interest
https://www.apta.org/apta-magazine/2023/03/01/setting-a-new-agenda
https://www.apta.org/article/2023/03/03/prior-auth-letter-tips
https://www.apta.org/news/2023/02/15/aetna-prior-auth-decision
Congressional Update
Action on Workforce: The Senate HELP Committee recently put out an RFI on health care workforce challenges. APTA submitted comments to the Committee with a number of policy proposals for them to consider. Check out the letter on the FAL Hub. APTA, AOTA, ASHA and others are requesting $8 mil. to HRSA to fund the Allied Health Workforce Diversity program that was signed into law in Dec. 2022.
Latest Bill Introduction: Locum tenens (H.R. 1617/S. 793) was recently reintroduced in the House and Senate. The SHARE Act (H.R. 1310) was recently introduced in the House. Visit the Legislative Action Center to take action on both bills and the Patient Action Center to take action on locum tenens and Medicare payment reform.
Wait: Bill reintroduction depends on multiple factors, including finding lead sponsors (especially if the bill was introduced by a now former member of Congress), timing, etc. We are hoping most of our bills will be reintroduced in the next couple of months. APTA position papers and the action centers will be updated accordingly. Congress is going on a two-week recess for Passover and Easter and we’re hoping bills will be reintroduced after this recess.
March 2023
APTA Public Policy Priorities 2023-2024
The APTA has released its Public Policy Priorities 2023-2024. The Public Policy Priorities document is the roadmap for our advocacy for the lawmakers in the 118th Congress. Please see the link below for
APTA Public Policy Priorities 2023-2024 | APTA
CMS proposed several regulations addressing prior authorization policies.
Check out comment opportunities and learn more about regulatory advocacy on the Regulatory Action Center. Regulatory Action Center | APTA
Advocacy = Selfcare
The APTA Advocacy Network (formerly PTeam) keeps APTA member advocates connected and engaged.
Members participate for free and receive special legislative updates and action alerts when we need your voice.
https://www.apta.org/advocacy/apta-advocacy-network
FEDERAL ADVOCACY UPDATE SEPTEMBER 2022
Text - H.R.8181 - 117th Congress (2021-2022): Optimizing Postpartum Outcomes Act of 2022 | Congress.gov | Library of Congress This summer the APTA-supported "Optimizing Postpartum Outcomes Act" (H.R. 8181) was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Reps. Jaime Herrera Beutler, R-Wash., and Lisa Blunt Rochester, D-Del. The bipartisan legislation is aimed at expanding care and access under Medicaid to pelvic physical therapy for mothers in the postpartum period.
Lymphedema Treatment Act Also in the House, the APTA-supported Lymphedema Treatment Act took a major step with the legislation being passed by the House Energy & Commerce Committee earlier this month.
News | Lawmakers Urge Veterans Affairs to Raise Pay, Expand Roles of PTs and PTAs | APTA Also in June we saw a win for physical therapists and PTAs who work in the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. APTA-supported report language was included in the proposed FY 2023 appropriations bill for the VA, which included report language urging the department "to examine how more competitive pay for physical therapists and physical therapist assistants can help with hiring and retention." Additionally, the lawmakers recommend that the department open its Health Professional Scholarship Program to PTs. The appropriations package will be put before the House and Senate
Advocacy = Selfcare
Advocacy is selfcare. Feelings of burnout and fatigue are being felt across all practice setting. Having a voice and power in decision making is one way to combat feelings of burnout. The act of practicing small amounts of advocacy can give you feeling of purpose, accomplishment, contribution, connection, and power, which have a positive health benefit. We can’t make change without voices and numbers. If you believe that physical therapists and physical therapy assistants should have a voice in making rules and laws about physical therapy practice, then please take action. The APTA Action App makes it easy and simple. Download the App today!
ADVOCACY AFFAIRS – July 2022
How to Get Involved!
One way that you can easily advocate and take an active role in the PT profession at the federal and state level is to download the APTA Action app. While we encourage everyone to support the PT profession through their membership with APTA, you do not need to be an APTA member to use the app and have a voice. Taking action via the app typically takes 1-2 minutes and has the latest information on legislation that affects you. Below is the link to download the app:
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/apta-action/id727008540
Federal Affairs Update
Advocacy = Selfcare
Advocacy is selfcare. Feelings of burnout and fatigue are being felt across all practice setting. Having a voice and power in decision making is one way to combat feelings of burnout. The act of practicing small amounts of advocacy can give you feeling of purpose, accomplishment, contribution, connection, and power, which have a positive health benefit. We can’t make change without voices and numbers. If you believe that physical therapists and physical therapy assistants should have a voice in making rules and laws about physical therapy practice, then please take action. The APTA Action App makes it easy and simple.
Prior Authorization:
APTA supported bill, Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act (H.R. 3173/S.3018), aims to address prior authorization under Medicare Advantage plans.
Position Paper: Improving Seniors' Timely Access to Care | APTA
Pelvic Health:
Rep. Jamie Herrera Beutler (R-WA) and Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE) plan to introduce the Optimizing Postpartum Outcomes Act in the near future. This bipartisan legislation instructs CMS to issue guidance on coverage under Medicaid and CHIP (Children’s Health Insurance Program) for pelvic floor services, including pelvic floor physical therapy, performed during the postpartum or neonatal period. More information will be forthcoming.
Telehealth update:
As of right now, physical therapists have not secured permanent telehealth coverage. Physical therapist is currently covered under the telehealth waiver under the public health emergency. Initially, the telehealth coverage was scheduled to end abruptly once the PHE is declared over, which could be as early as this July, however it is possible that this will be extended again. The US House just passed the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2022 which will give the profession a 5-month blanket extension of the current Medicare telehealth waiver after the end of the PHE. Securing this extension has been critical to avoid a sudden drop-ff of coverage, and to set the stage for a permanent or longer extension of the telehealth waiver.
Position Paper: Expanded Telehealth Access Act of 2021 | APTA
Allied Health Work Diversity Act
The PREVENT Pandemics Act (an Act that focuses on strengthening the nation’s preparedness and response systems in the wake of COVID-19) contains APTA supported language from our Allied Workforce Diversity Act in addressing social detriments to health.
Position Paper: The Allied Health Work Diversity Act | APTA
Contact our Federal Affairs Liaison, Amanda Packard
APTA House of Delegates
The APTA NH is getting ready for the upcoming House of Delegates. A virtual session will take place on July 30th and the in-person session will be August 13th – 15th in Washington D.C. Your President and Chief Delegate participated in the NE Caucus the weekend of June 11th, in New Brunswick, NJ, alongside representatives from NY, NJ, ME, VT, RI, PA, DE, and DC. We discussed the current motions to the house and the candidates running for national office.
There are twenty-two motions currently being formulated. The topics vary, such as: direction of PTAs, postpartum PT, management of BP, direct-to-employer services, and a charge to explore an association healthcare plan. The second iteration will be out in July.
The slate of candidates is up and biographies are ready to view. https://www.apta.org/apta-and-you/leadership-and-governance/nominations-and-elections/slate. The interview videos will be posted on July 1st.
If you have any questions or input on any of the candidates or proposals, please contact Chief Delegate, Eydie Kendall via email: eakendall1@plymouth.edu.
APTA National Advocacy Highlight
Lawmakers Urge Veterans Affairs to Raise Pay, Expand Roles of PTs and PTAs
Did you know that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is the largest single employer of physical therapists? Physical therapy is increasingly being recognized as an important pain treatment alternative to opioids. It is also being acknowledged that having greater access to physical therapy is critically important for patients, including veterans.
The House Appropriations Committee is urging the Department of Veterans Affairs to improve patient access to physical therapists in the VA health care system. This desire is being backed up by language in the appropriations package calling for increasing pay, expanding the roles of PTs and PTAs in a range of settings including primary care, and allowing PTs to qualify for a special scholarship program. The House Appropriations Committee package will go before the House and Senate later this year, most likely in September 2022, with a high likelihood of passing. Be encouraged by this anticipated APTA-supported Advocacy Win!
Please follow this link to read the detailed article.
https://www.apta.org/news/2022/07/05/va-appropriations
Contact APTA NH Board Member, Tracie Adams
May 2022
How to Get Involved!
One way that you can easily advocate and take an active role in the PT profession at the federal and state level is to download the APTA Action app. While we encourage everyone to support the PT profession through their membership with APTA, you do not need to be an APTA member to use the app and have a voice. Taking action via the app typically takes 1-2 minutes and has the latest information on legislation that affects you. Below is the link to download the APTA Action App: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/apta-action/id727008540
Federal Affairs Update
Advocacy = Selfcare
Advocacy is selfcare. Feelings of burnout and fatigue are being felt across all practice setting. Having a voice and power in decision making is one way to combat feelings of burnout. The act of practicing small amounts of advocacy can give you feeling of purpose, accomplishment, contribution, connection, and power, which have a positive health benefit. We can’t make change without voices and numbers. If you believe that physical therapists and physical therapy assistants should have a voice in making rules and laws about physical therapy practice, then please take action. The APTA Action App makes it easy and simple.
Telehealth update:
As of right now, physical therapists have not secured permanent telehealth coverage. Physical therapist is currently covered under the telehealth waiver under the public health emergency. Initially, the telehealth coverage was scheduled to end abruptly once the PHE is declared over, which could be as early as this July. The US House just passed the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2022 which will give the profession a 5-month blanket extension of the current Medicare telehealth waiver after the end of the PHE. Securing this extension has been critical to avoid a sudden drop-ff of coverage, and to set the stage for a permanent or longer extension of the telehealth waiver.
Position Paper: Expanded Telehealth Access Act of 2021 | APTA
Combating Burnout and Addressing Mental Health of Healthcare Workers
The Legislation | Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes Foundation (drlornabreen.org)
APTA Fit for Practice Initiative | APTA
Allied Health Work Diversity Act
The PREVENT Pandemics Act (an Act that focuses on strengthening the nation’s preparedness and response systems in the wake of COVID-19) contains APTA supported language from our Allied Workforce Diversity Act in addressing social detriments to health.
Position Paper: The Allied Health Work Diversity Act | APTA
Contact our Federal Affairs Liaison, Amanda Packard
State Affairs Update
The NH state legislature continues to work through the many bills under consideration this session. APTA NH has been actively following many of these bills and at this point in the session were are down to following about 20 bills. Some of the remaining active bills under consideration that we are following are listed below:
Here are updates on three we are watching:
- HB1080: Relative to the Rights of Conscience for Medical Professionals.
- HB1390: Relative to Access to Language Translation Services in Telemedicine
- HB1624: Relative to Students with Disabilities Participating in Co-curricular Activities and Making an Appropriation, Therefore
- SB 277: Relative to Emergency or Temporary Healthcare Licenses
For more information on these and other pending bills, go to www.nh.gov then put your cursor over the Government tab at the top and click on NH State Legislature. You can enter bill numbers like the ones above or do a keyword search for bills to access more information. Please feel free to reach out to us at www.nhapta.org for more information or to get involved.
Contact our State Legislative Committee contact, Mark Mailloux
APTA House of Delegates Update
The APTA is gearing up for the House of Delegates (HOD), August 14th and 15th. Your NH reps will attend the NE Caucus on June 11th, in person!
There has been a bit of activity on the Hub (APTA’s On-line Community Forums) with respect to potential motions that may make it to the HOD. Topics are varied, everything from the gender pay gap to Continuing Education standards, with more to come as these ideas are slowly taking shape. The first packet of information containing motions will be distributed to members on May 25th.
The 2022 APTA officer elections slate of candidates has been posted to the APTA website. The NE caucus has plans to collaborate for interviews, so your NH reps will be teaming up with VT, ME, MA, CT & RI, starting at the end of April. We’ll provide updates as the election prep progresses.
To provide any feedback you may have, please contact our Chief Delegate, Eydie Kendall.
APTA National Advocacy Highlight
Here’s what the data show about the impacts of physical therapy:
- Physical therapy is essential for many in their recovery from COVID-19. COVID-19 can strike anyone, and its effects range from being undetectable to requiring mechanical ventilation. When people are hospitalized and are just beginning to recover from the most severe effects of the novel coronavirus, physical therapists are helping. And physical therapy will continue to be needed by some long after they leave the hospital.
- Physical therapy is effective in reducing pain. For example, a growing body of evidence for physical therapist treatment of low back pain includes a 2018 study published in Health Services Research that shows that using it as a first-line approach not only saves money but also dramatically reduces the chance of receiving a prescription for dangerous opioids.
- Physical activity prevents disease. For example, people who regularly walk 8,000 steps a day are significantly less likely to die from cardiovascular disease, cancer, or any cause than those who take 4,000 steps or fewer, according to a March 2020 study published in JAMA.
- Physical therapists treat people where they are. Physical therapists provide care to people across the lifespan and in many settings, including hospitals, private practices, outpatient clinics, homes, schools, sports teams and fitness facilities, the U.S. Armed Services, veterans facilities, work settings, and nursing homes. About 90 commercial payers and Medicare have allowed physical therapist services to be delivered via telehealth during the COVID-19 public health emergency.
The physical therapy profession has much to contribute to the health of society.
- To learn more about these issues or to contact APTA staff specializing in federal legislation and regulatory issues, visit https://www.apta.org/advocacy.
- To learn more about physical therapy, visit https://www.choosept.com/
APTA urges Congress and the Administration to:
- Improve patient outcomes by eliminating barriers to health care services
- Enact policies that empower all people regardless of where they are born, live, learn, work, play, worship, and age to live healthy and independent lives
- Improve patient outcomes and patient satisfaction by improving health services delivery.
- Prioritize research and clinical innovation to advance the science, effectiveness, and efficacy of physical therapist evaluation and management to optimize patient health, well-being, and recovery.
Contact APTA NH Board Member, Tracie Adams
