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Hundreds Gather on Capitol Hill
A total of 563 participants from all 50 states registered for the May
22-24 Advocacy Academy and PT Day on Capitol Hill. Participants learned
ways to improve advocacy skills and conducted 393 Congressional
meetings.
Physical therapy providers from all 50 states emphasized three key
issues during hundreds of meetings in Congressional offices: 1) the need
to remove therapy caps on outpatient rehabilitation services, 2) the
importance of debt repayment for physical therapy students choosing to
practice in underserved areas, and 3) the benefits of direct access to
physical therapy services.
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Former APTA President Ben Massey Jr, PT, MA, at right, is presented with
the 2007 Federal Legislative Leadership Award by APTA President R Scott
Ward, PT, PhD. Each year, the award is given to an individual who
demonstrates outstanding leadership in federal legislative issues. |
Rep John Shimkus (R-IL), left, is honored with the 2007 APTA Public
Service Award from APTA President R Scott Ward, PT, PhD. Shimkus is a
strong supporter and of many of APTA’s most critical legislative
issues. |
Rep Jim Langevin (D-RI), center, meets with Rhode Island physical
therapists after addressing Advocacy Academy and PT Day on Capitol Hill
participants on May 22. Langevin emphasized the need to expand direct
access to physical therapist services and remove caps on physical
therapy and other health care services. |
Rep Mike Rogers (R-MI), center, joins the Michigan delegation before
speaking to APTA members on May 23. Rogers gave encouragement to members
slated to visit Congressional offices the following day. |
Judy Schneider of the Congressional Research Service addresses members
on May 23. Schneider gave an informative and humorous lecture covering
legislative procedure and process. |
Political commentator Mark Shields speaks to members during the May 23
Keynote Luncheon. Shields provided fascinating historical perspective on
contemporary political affairs. |
Rep Roy Blunt (R-MO) addresses members before they head to Capitol Hill
to lobby Congress. Blunt is a cosponsor of legislation to repeal
Medicare outpatient rehabilitation therapy caps. |
Members listen to a presentation on Medicare payment issues given by
Anders Gilberg of the American Medical Association and Gayle Lee, JD,
director of APTA Regulatory Affairs. Advocacy Academy and PT Day on
Capitol Hill featured many educational programs for practicing PTs. |
Missouri members participating in PT Day on Capitol Hill meet with Rep
Kenny Hulshof (R-MO). |
Sen Blanche Lincoln (D-AR), center, meets with, from left: Dave Mason,
vice president of APTA Government Affairs; APTA lobbyist Patrick Cooney;
Steven Forbush, PT, MA, of Arkansas; and APTA President R Scott Ward,
PT, PhD. Lincoln has introduced legislation to enact Medicare direct
access and is cosponsoring Senate legislation to repeal the therapy
cap. |
Sen Patty Murray (D-WA), right, meets with members from Washington. |
Rep Frank LoBiondo (R-NJ), center, greets New Jersey PTs in his
House office. |
Rep Bob Filner (D-CA), fourth from left, is joined by the
California delegation in Filner’s office overlooking the
Capitol. |
Sen Jon Kyl (R-AZ), center, joins Arizona participants outside his
office in the Hart Senate Office Building. |
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