ALEXANDRIA, VA, August 5, 2008 — The American Physical Therapy
Association (APTA) applauds the recent introduction of HR 6792
Veterans Physical Therapy Services Improvement Act of 2008
by Representatives Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (D-SD) and John Boozman
(R-AR). This bill will improve the recruitment and retention of physical
therapists in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA).
"Meeting the growing rehabilitation needs of our nation's veterans is
a top priority," said APTA President R Scott Ward, PT, PhD. "This
legislation will help the VHA meet the challenges associated with aging
veterans and the complicated injuries experienced by this generation.
The recruitment and retention of physical therapists will help the VHA
continue to serve our nation's veterans with the highest quality of
health care."
"The combination of men and women returning every day from Iraq and
Afghanistan with complex impairments and an aging veteran population has
created a shortage of physical therapists in the VHA and demands that
the range and quality of physical therapy services offered to those who
have served our country in uniform keep pace with modern advancements
and techniques," Herseth Sandlin said. "The bill I introduced Friday
would attract the most qualified physical therapists to the VHA and help
meet this growing need to provide access to superior physical therapy
services to those who have bravely served and sacrificed."
"We must be proactive in ensuring there are qualified rehabilitation
specialists to help meet the increasing veterans population," Boozman
said. "Giving our veterans the care they deserve for the sacrifices they
made is something I will continue to fight for."
The legislation will establish a Director of Physical Therapy Service
position that will report to the Under Secretary of Health, to ensure
that as the profession advances, the VHA keeps current with issues
related to the physical therapy profession's education, qualifications,
clinical privileges, and scope of practice. The legislation will also
create a new fellowship program for physical therapists in the areas of
geriatrics, amputee rehabilitation, polytrauma, and rehabilitation
research.
"We commend Congresswoman Herseth-Sandlin and Congressman Boozman for
their leadership in introducing the Veterans Physical Therapy Services
Improvement Act and pledge to them our complete support in seeing this
bill enacted into law as swiftly as possible," Ward said. "This
legislation is an extremely important step forward in assuring that our
veterans receive the highest quality physical therapy and rehabilitative
care."
Physical therapists are health care professionals who diagnose and
manage individuals of all ages, from newborns to elders, who have
medical problems or other health-related conditions that limit their
abilities to move and perform functional activities in their daily
lives. Physical therapists examine each individual and develop a plan of
care using treatment techniques to promote the ability to move, reduce
pain, restore function, and prevent disability. Physical therapists also
work with individuals to prevent the loss of mobility by developing
fitness- and wellness-oriented programs for healthier and more active
lifestyles.
APTA (www.apta.org) is a national organization representing physical
therapists, physical therapist assistants, and students nationwide. Its
goal is to foster advancements in physical therapist education,
practice, and research. Consumers can visit www.findapt.us to find
a physical therapist in their area, as well as www.apta.org/consumer for physical therapy news and
information.