August 24, 2011
Advocacy Opportunities for 5th District Constituents
We are still looking to gain Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodger’s cosponsorship on our national PT priority legislation. Here are two opportunities to put APTA’s legislation priorities in front of her in the next couple of weeks.
McMorris Rodgers will host a “Coffee with Cathy” public event at the Port of Walla Walla Conference Room, 310 A. St. Walla Walla Thursday, August 25. Local citizens will be able to speak directly with the Congresswoman and express their opinions on key issues affecting our community and our nation — including jobs, government spending, health care, energy, and national security.
McMorris Rodgers will also host a public town hall at Lincoln Center, 1316 N. Lincoln, Spokane August 31.
Position papers are available for download and print at apta.org/advocacy
Questions? Contact PTWA Federal Affairs Liaison Sharon McCallum sharonemc@comcast.net.
Advocacy Opportunity for 8th District Constituents
Congressman Dave Reichert invites constituents to Puyallup for a breakfast with special guest Senator John Boozman (R-AR) Saturday, August 27 at 8: 30 a.m. at the Elks Lodge, 314 27th Street Northeast, Puyallup. Cost is: $35 per person or $325 for a table.
Consider attending this event. Bring along the position papers for our priority bills available to download and print at www.apta.org/advocacy. Approach the representative or staff before or after the event. Hand them the position papers and let them know you will be in touch!
The bills currently of concern to the physical therapy profession are:
HR 1546/S829 -The Medicare Access to Rehabilitation Services Act.
HR 1426/S 975 “The Physical Therapist – Student Loan Repayment Eligibility Act of 2011 HR 531 Access to Frontline Health Care Act.
HR 469-The Protecting Student Athletes from Concussions Act
To attend, Please R.S.V.P to Keith Schipper at 425-455-3283 or kschipper@davereichertforcongress.com.
Sharon McCallum, PT, DPT
PTWA Federal Affairs Liaison
Rep. Adam Smith Holding Town Hall Meeting Aug. 25
Rep. Adam Smith invites 9th District constituents to a budget town hall meeting Aug. 25 at 7 p.m. Consider attending this meeting. Bring along the position papers for our priority bills available to download and print at www.apta.org/advocacy. Approach the representative or staff before or after the meeting. Hand them the Position papers and let them know you will be in touch!
The bills currently of concern to the physical therapy profession are:
HR 1546/S829 -The Medicare Access to Rehabilitation Services Act.
HR 1426/S 975 “The Physical Therapist – Student Loan Repayment Eligibility Act of 2011 HR 531 Access to Frontline Health Care Act.
HR 469-The Protecting Student Athletes from Concussions Act
What: Town Hall discussion on the national budget, debt reduction, and economic recovery
When: 7 p.m., August 25th, 2011
Where: Burien City Council Chambers
400 SW 152nd St., in Burien Town Square
Council Chambers are on ground floor of City Hall/Library building.
Space is limited and attendees are encouraged to RSVP, please call 253-593-6600 or email rsvpsmith@mail.house.gov.
Sharon McCallum, PT, DPT
PTWA Federal Affairs Liaison
August 3, 2011
Invite Legislators for a Clinic Visits
You may have seen PTWA Lobbyist Melissa Johnson’s article in the June PTWA Connections about arranging a clinic visit with your legislators. Here are some additional thoughts from PTWA Legistlative Committee Chair Robin, Schoenfeld, PT, OMT:
While the legislative session is over, the PTWA Legislative Committee would like to keep activity going in the home districts. Hosting legislators in clinics and work settings is a great way to inform them of who PTs are and what we do. This year we are calling on manual therapists in particular to make these contacts, given the continued efforts to pass PTWA’s spinal manipulation legislation. Two years ago, I was happy to have Rep. Reuven Carlyle, of the 36th District, at the MTI Physical Therapy Clinic in Magnolia. It was great to have him see the clinic and talk to him about manual therapy.
Over the next few months we should take advantage of the chance to get to know our legislators away from their busy office settings by inviting them for clinic visits. This affords us the opportunity to really explain who we are as constituents and PTs. The Legislative Committee and PTWA Lobbyist Melissa Johnson can help make the appointments and prepare you for your clinic visit.
Please let us know if you already had these visits planned by emailing the Legislative Committee at legislative@ptwa.org. Thank you for your commitment to the ongoing legislative efforts, including that of lifting the ban on spinal manipulation.
Robin Schoenfeld, PT, OMT
May 5, 2011
PT Day on Capitol Hill
Attending the APTA’s PT 2011 in National Harbor, Md.? Register for PT Day on Capitol Hill!
Talk to our congressional representatives about student loans and the permanent repeal of the Medicare cap! Prep and briefing meeting will take place Wednesday, June 8, 2011, 4 to 6 p.m. PT Day on Capitol Hill takes place June 9, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Bus transportation to and from the conference provided, as well as CEU.
Join in for an inspiring day of advocacy along side PTWA delegation and other members. Registration required. To help APTA plan for adequate bus transportation register by May 11.
Visit apta.org/advocacy for all the details and check out this great video clip!
There are no educational sessions opposing our time on Capitol Hill and Capitol Hill day is free.
Questions? Email PTWA Federal Affairs Liaison Sharon McCallum.
March 9, 2011
We Will Continue Our Work to Achieve Success of Spinal Manipulation Bill
I know that the fact that our spinal manipulation bill did not get out of the House Health Care & Wellness Committee is disappointing for many of our members. But, I know that we will prevail–it is just going to take time and patience. We need to keep working with our legislative leaders and mediators to come up with a solution that satisfies all stakeholders. We need to take the high road no matter how long it takes! No matter what, we KNOW that we have the ability to perform this technique safely and effectively.
I think that PTWA’s Spinal Manipulation Task Force Co-Chair Steve Allen’s comments voice the sentiment of all who continue to work so hard on this:
“We came, we said, they said and all of us realized that the committee would not be able to act on [the bill]…I was very proud of those who testified. The foundation and momentum with all the players are still intact and we are lining up for another run next session.
“We will stick with this. We will enjoy the ride as we do and will embrace the adversity. We have a great team with great support. We will have our day.”
I would like to recognize the following: Bob Boyles, Steve Allen, Robin Schoenfeld, Elaine Armantrout, Melissa Johnson and Brian Thacker for their roles in the hearing preparation. I appreciate the PTs who attended the hearing as well as all the Spinal Manipulation Task Force members and Legislative Committee members who continue to be committed to this process.
I would also like to thank Rep. Eileen Cody, chair of the House Health Care & Wellness Committee, for hearing the bill; Rep Jim Moeller for serving as the mediator between PTWA and WSCA; the legislators who sponsored our bill (listed below) and the many generous sponsors of 2011 Physical Therapy Legislative Impact Day, who are listed on our website here.
House Bill 1673 sponsors:
Rep. Judy Warnick, R-Moses Lake – Primary sponsor
Rep. Bruce Dammeier, R-Puyallup
Rep. Sharon Tomiko Santos, D-Seattle
Rep. Sam Hunt, D-Olympia
Rep. Roger Goodman, D-Kirkland
Senate Bill 5549 sponsors:
Sen. Ed Murray, D-Seattle – Primary sponsor
Sen. Debbie Regala, D-Tacoma
Sen. Jeanne Kohl-Welles, D-Seattle
Sen. Scott White, D-Seattle
Sen. Rodney Tom, D-Bellevue
Susan Chalcraft, PT, MS,
PTWA President
October 18, 2010
Seek Legislative Improvements Rather Than Workers’ Comp Privatization
Most American states enacted workers’ compensation laws between 1911 and 1913 with the last to adopt in 1948. These laws, in brief, created workers’ compensation indemnity for employers in exchange for employees giving up the right to sue employers. The fundamental purpose of these programs is to treat and retrain injured workers so they can return to work.
Initiative 1082, which will appear on Washington’s ballot next month, provides sweeping changes to how these services are delivered. The measure would authorize employers to purchase private industrial insurance beginning July 1, 2012 and direct the legislature to enact conforming legislation by March 1, 2012. It would also eliminate the worker-paid share of medical-benefit premiums.
The Building Industry Association of Washington (BIAW) proposed this initiative to the last legislature. The association claimed that passage would lower workers’ compensation premiums, which was its primary concern. The proponents of I-1082 claim:
- Washington is one of only four states that forbids private competition.
- Workers’ compensation rates are falling across the nation but rising in Washington.
- Washington has the second-highest workers’ compensation cost per employee and third-most-generous benefits package.
- Workers’ compensation rates in Washington are 50 percent higher than they were 10 years ago.
The opponents of I-1082, led by the Washington State Labor Council, are concerned that privatized workers’ compensation will result in higher employer costs and reduced benefits to injured workers. They view this as a profit grab by big insurance companies, one of which is the largest workers’ compensation insurer in the nation: AIG.
The opponents claim:
- The Washington Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) operates on 18 percent overhead, compared to 68 percent that is typical for private workers’ compensation insurers. The current Washington system has room for improvement but is reported as one of the top three systems, in terms of injured worker benefits, in the country and operates with premiums that are less than the premiums in half of the other states.
- Handing over the public, not-for-profit system to private insurers is less about getting injured workers back to work and more about profits and market share.
- Private insurance will cherry-pick employers resulting in higher costs for those who elect to stay in the state system.
- Ending the 27 percent employee contribution to medical benefit premiums will shift costs to already-strapped businesses and decrease job creation and recovery.
- Transparency of claims processing will be eliminated because private insurers will view claims processing as proprietary.
- This initiative exempts private insurers from claim oversight. The Insurance Guaranty Act prevents insurers from collecting premiums and not paying claims, which is why Washington’s insurance commissioner and state auditor both oppose I-1082.
- Some states have seen a 200 percent increase in premiums since adopting similar competitive systems.
It is my opinion that if Washington adopts I-1082, the initial reported savings to the public would be the result of premium discounts designed solely to capture market share. Because of increased costs, like marketing, profits and executive bonuses, private insurers would pressure health care providers into steeply-discounted or reduced services and added utilization management duties, similar to what we have seen from managed-care health plans. Providers who choose not to participate in these discounts and added duties will contribute to decreased access and services for injured workers. The incentives of a competitive, less controlled, private insurance system are always to earn profits and gain market share which may also negatively impact the injured workers’ benefits.
Both opponents and proponents agree that Washington currently has a rich benefits package for its injured workers. The proponents cite 50 percent premium growth over a 10 year period as negative. I would add to this another piece of data: health care premiums have risen 106 percent in Washington during the same period of time under the management of the same companies that would run the privately insured workers’ compensation system. As advocates for our patients we should be concerned about I-1082.
If I were to offer a solution to both sides of this argument, it would be to continue our low overhead system and then look for improvements in a transparent, legislative manner that would retain the best of what we have and still improve the overall system. I think this is what the legislature had in mind when it took no action on the BIAW’s proposal during the last budget pressing session.
If passed, I-1082 will have significant affects on the injured workers served by PTWA members. As advocates for our patients it is important that we are informed and that we help educate our members and our patients beyond the slogans and the sound bites of this initiative.
Larry Post
PTWA Payer Liaison
October 1, 2010
WPT-PAC Now Accepting Online Donations
The Washington Physical Therapy Political Action Committee (WPT-PAC) happily announces it can now accept online donations through its new webpage, www.ptwa.org/wptpac. You can also download a contribution form and drop it in the mail or fax it to make contributions easier for everyone.
WPT-PAC is the ONLY group in Washington state that specifically raises money to help protect and promote the interests of all PTs and PTAs in the state. The PAC board generates funds to promote the physical therapy profession among state lawmakers and governmental officials. We are dependent on the legislative process to protect the public by defining our scope of practice and to ensure no one infringes on physical therapy or takes away what we are licensed to do. As a PAC, we are able to present a unified front for legislation that is important to us. It opens doors for PTWA members to visit with legislators that are pivotal to our profession. The ability to donate at the same level as other health care organizations keeps us on a level playing field. The PAC is a volunteer organization so 100 percent of the money raised goes to support our causes.
The need is great this year because it is an election year. So far in 2010, the PAC has donated $51,900 to 83 candidates who support or promote the physical therapy profession. The PAC board works closely with Melissa Johnson, PTWA Lobbyist, to identify these candidates. We have supported issues such as direct access, title protection and PTA licensure and, currently, working to lift the spinal manipulation ban. We keep our organization in good standing with the Public Disclosure Commission. We have established a system to recognize and motivate our colleagues who support the PAC financially.
Thank you to all of the PTWA members who have donated to the PAC in the past. And we encourage all of our colleagues to contribute or continue to contribute to the PAC at any level possible.
Dave Rudnick, PT, OCS
WPT-PAC Chair
March 22, 2010
House Passes Health Care Reform Legislation, Obama’s Top Domestic Policy Close to Becoming Law
The APTA sent out this Information Bulletin last night:
Late tonight, Sunday, March 21, 2010, the United States House of Representatives passed two bills to reform the health care delivery system. The first bill, HR 3590, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, was the House’s concurrence with the health care reform legislation that the United States Senate passed on December 24, 2009. Analysis of the legislation indicates that HR 3590 will provide coverage for 32 million more Americans to reach 95 percent coverage in the United States. HR 3590 passed 219 to 212 and now will be sent to President Barack Obama for signature. To read APTA’s summary of this legislation, click here. Following the passage of HR 3590, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, the United States House of Representatives passed HR 4872, the Reconciliation Act of 2010 by a vote of 220-211. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that the health care reform legislation, addressed by reconciliation, will cost $940 billion but also cut the deficit by $138 billion over the next 10 years. This legislation modifies HR 3590 and must now be sent to the Senate for concurrence. If the Senate does not change the legislation and passes HR 4872 it will be sent to the President. To pass HR 4872, the Reconciliation Act of 2010, the Senate needs 51 votes. Earlier today, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid indicated that the Democratic leadership has commitments from 52 senators, not including Vice President Biden to pass HR 4872. Several procedural and parliamentarian hurdles will need to be clear in the Senate, but it is expected that the Senate will move this second piece of legislation making changes to the first in the coming weeks. APTA will be posting a summary of this legislation in the next week at www.apta.org/healthcarereform. It should be noted that HR 3590 would extend the therapy cap exceptions process for the remainder of 2010, but would not prevent the 21.2 percent reduction in payments under the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule scheduled to go into effect on April 1, 2010. Congress will still need to pass legislation to avoid this cut in payments to PTs, physicians and other health care professionals. As the final steps towards this top domestic policy priority of the president are completed, APTA will be providing its membership with resources and education on this legislation and its impact on physical therapy and the patients we serve.
March 12, 2010
Register for APTA’s Capitol Hill Day April 27
APTA will host its 22nd Annual Federal Advocacy Forum April 25-27, 2010. In addition to the traditional three-day programming option, APTA is offering a Capitol Hill Day only registration for Tuesday, April 27. Hill Day only registrants will be expected to arrive prior to 2 p.m. April 26 for an issue briefing; and stay until 4 p.m. on Tuesday April 27 for visits with their legislators.
Capitol Hill Day only registration costs $75 and includes:
- APTA Issue Briefing
- Reception with colleagues and staff at APTA headquarters
- Transportation to and from Capitol Hill
- Tuesday morning breakfast on Capitol Hill
- Meetings with your Senators and Representatives on APTA priority issues
- Access to the Debriefing Room, to follow up with APTA staff on your visits
Meeting with your United States Senators and Representatives is a great way to provide information on the needs of PTs and their patients. Previous Capitol Hill Days have been a huge success in gaining support for our issues as well as building relationships between legislators and many APTA members. For only $75, you can be a part of APTA’s presence on Capitol Hill, providing valuable information on behalf of your profession and patients.
For more information on the Federal Advocacy Forum and Capitol Hill Day visit www.apta.org/advocacyforum or contact melissamanzione@apta.org.
If you plan to go, or you have questions, send PTWA Federal Affairs Liaison Sharon McCallum an email: sharonemc@comcast.net
Four easy ways to register:
ONLINE: Complete the online registration at: www.apta.org/advocacyforum
PHONE: Call APTA’s Member Services toll free at 800-999-2782, ext. 3395, 8:30 a.m. – 6 p.m. EST
FAX: Fax your completed registration form to: 703-706-3396
MAIL: Send your completed registration form to:
APTA
ATTN: FAF Registration
PO Box 79054
Baltimore, MD 21279-0054
** Registration for this event is FREE for PT-PAC Eagles***
