A meeting last Thursday between leaders from APTA and the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (AAPM&R) outlined areas of mutual interest that may lead to collaboration on common issues.

The meeting with AAPM&R, a national society representing more than 8,000 physicians who are specialists in the field of physical medicine and rehabilitation, included discussions on a wide range of issues, including the need to advocate for expanded research on rehabilitation and disability; initiatives to reform the payment system for outpatient physical therapy; concerns over bundling of acute and post-acute care payment; the Medicare sustainable growth rate formula and the future of quality initiatives for rehabilitation.

"I was very pleased with the discussions between our organizations and the ideas brought forth for future collaboration on the issues of importance to our members and to the broader health care community," said APTA President R. Scott Ward, PT, PhD. "I look forward to further interactions and productive results."

In addition to Ward, other APTA representatives at the meeting were:  Paul Rockar Jr, PT, DPT, MS, vice president; Kevin L. Hulsey, PT, DPT, MA, Board member and chair, Government Affairs Committee; John D. Barnes, CEO; and Justin Moore, PT, vice president, Government and Payment Advocacy. Representing AAPM&R were: Michael F. Lupinacci, MD, president; David L. Bagnall, MD, president-elect; Alberto Esquenazi, MD, vice president; Gregory M. Worsowicz, MD, MBA, chair, Quality Practice and Policy Committee; Thomas Stautzenbach, CAE, MBA, MA, executive director; and Peter W. Thomas, JD, AAPM&R Washington representative.