Advocating for the Profession of Physical Therapy President's Letter page

Advocating For the Profession of Physical Therapy

In my letter this month, I want to share my thoughts on how you, as an individual member, can make a difference with respect to advocating for the profession of physical therapy. Advocacy is important for the sustainability and growth of the profession and can take many forms. Whether you are a physical therapist, physical therapist assistant, or a student, you can be involved with advocacy at the local, state and/or national level. Both APTA New York, as a state Chapter, and APTA, as the national association, engage with legislators, regulatory agencies and commercial payers to promote laws, regulations, and payment policies that are beneficial for the profession and the patients/clients we serve.

One of the most common ways that APTA New York members have been involved with state advocacy is by participating in our annual Lobby Day. The Chapter sponsors this event in the spring of each year and helps coordinate visits with NY State legislators to advocate for legislation impacting the PT profession. This legislative advocacy should not be limited to just one day a year.

Individual members can communicate with their legislators by writing letters or posting on social media throughout the year to highlight various issues/concerns as they arise. Members can also attend local fundraisers for their state senator or assemblyperson and/or make a contribution to their re-election campaign.

"Advocacy is important for the sustainability and growth of our profession. "

Peggy

Another way to interact with your legislators is to invite them to visit your PT clinic or facility to highlight the benefits of physical therapy. Members can stay informed about the Chapter’s current public policy priorities by visiting the Public Policy Committee webpage on the Chapter’s website at: https://aptany.org/members/member_engagement/groups.aspx?code=PP

For those members who may be interested in becoming more actively involved in the Chapter’s advocacy work, consider volunteering to serve on the Chapter’s Public Policy Committee or as your District’s Legislative Liaison. Public Policy Committee members are appointed by the Chapter Executive Committee for a three-year term. A call for committee volunteers is sent out by the Chapter Office annually. District Legislative Liaisons are selected by a District’s Executive Board/ Committee and are responsible for coordinating efforts related to public policy within the District and between the District and Chapter. You should contact your District Chairperson for information on how to become involved in advocacy within your District.

Participating in advocacy at the national level is as easy as clicking on the “Advocacy” button (https://www.apta.org/advocacy) at the top of the APTA.org home page and then following the “Take Action” link. APTA’s advocacy pages contain all the information an individual member needs to make your voice heard, including letter templates and contact information for your members of Congress or regulatory agencies such as the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

Any APTA member can also join the APTA Advocacy Network (https://www.apta.org/advocacy/aptaadvocacy-network) to keep informed about the most current federal legislative and regulatory issues impacting the profession. APTA Advocacy Network members receive updates on federal legislation including action alerts, quarterly newsletters, and information bulletins. Through these alerts, you may be asked to contact your members of Congress on particular issues of concern to your patients and the physical therapy profession.

Another option for individual members to become more actively involved in national/federal advocacy is to volunteer to become a Key Contact. Key Contacts are APTA members who serve as the primary contacts with their Senators or Representatives in the United States Congress. There can be more than one Key Contact for a member of Congress. As a Key Contact, you can establish valuable relationships with legislators to increase awareness of the issues facing the physical therapy profession and are encouraged to meet with your member of Congress throughout the year. If you are interested in serving as a Key Contact, you can send an email to advocacy@apta.org.

For those of you who have been involved in our advocacy efforts for the profession – thank you.

If you have never taken part in any advocacy activities, please consider sending that letter or making that phone call the next time you are asked. Individual members can make a difference – each additional individual letter to a legislator or regulatory agency adds to the overall “voice” of the profession as we continue our advocacy efforts at the state and federal levels.

Best wishes for a happy, healthy and peaceful holiday season!

Peggy