Physical Therapy Makes Waves Again!

Legislative Day Photos

On Wednesday, March 15, 115 Physical Therapists, 7 Physical Therapist Assistants, and 60 students converged on the Capitol for Legislative Day 2006—the largest turnout in history! It was a pivotal event for Physical Therapy in our state, as the event was perfectly timed to educate our legislators about the Consumer Access to Physical Therapy Bill! Attendees were briefed, prior to hitting the pavement, by those who had “done their homework” for us, including Kathleen Picard, Craig Johnson, Joan Bohmert, Alana Howey, and Judy Hawley.

Participants facilitated 134 meetings with legislators, covering 67% of all districts—a big increase over 2005, when less than 50% of districts were covered. We discussed the merits of our bill, SF 637/HF 854 to improve access for consumers, such as increasing access for underserved populations by allowing patients to self-refer to Physical Therapy. We pointed out the reduction of cost to insurers and patients by removal of the physician visit requirement after 30 days. We explained that after 18 years of partial direct access, the public has experienced no increased risk. We acknowledged that Physical Therapists have a responsibility and obligation to ensure our patients’ safety and to refer back to the physician appropriately. We also brought attention to the fact that, while some professional organizations are officially opposing the bill, many individual physicians and chiropractors have come out in public support of the bill. These practitioners recognize the Physical Therapists provide a useful service to their patients and that less well-regulated professions already have direct access and are providing services similar to PT with much less oversight. Many of us found our legislators to be quite receptive to this logic!

We still have work to do, however, as opponents to consumer choice are not giving in without a fight, and legislators have been known to change their minds when pressured by powerful interests. We are taking great grassroots action by meeting with our legislators; they remembered us from years past and expect us to return in even greater numbers next year, and know we won’t go away! Now is the time to continue reminding them that we will hold them to their promise of support. We have passed along over 500 letters of support from patients, other practitioners and advocacy groups. We need to continue to call our legislators, e-mail them, and show our support for our bill as it moves on to the House and Senate floors. It is a very short session and things are happening fast!

A heartfelt thank you goes out to all the hard-working MN APTA volunteers, and staff of the MN APTA Chapter Office, without whom this effort would not be possible! We are very fortunate to have them on our side, so let’s not let them (or ourselves!) down, because this bill will take continued effort from all of us!

Thanks to everyone who participated in Legislative Day 2006! We had an impressive day of professionalism and enthusiasm. We look forward to seeing you again next year!

Jackie Harry,
MN APTA Secretary, Board of Directors

Legislative Day Slide Show