APTA was again a leading exhibitor at the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) annual Legislative Summit, held August 6-9, in Chicago. APTA's sponsorship and participation in the seventh annual NCSL "Walk for Wellness" and the association's physical therapy information booth were prominent features at this year's event. State lawmakers and legislative staff participated in warm-up exercises, led by Patti Naylor, PT, MS, and Chris Egizio, PT, at the "Walk for Wellness," a 5K run/walk to raise awareness of conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and obesity, while drawing attention to health disparities that exist in underserved communities.

In addition, conference attendees took the "PT Challenge" at APTA's exhibit booth. Participants who correctly answered quiz questions on direct access, protection for the term "physical therapy," and the detrimental effect of high patient copays for PT services, were entered into a drawing for a Kindle Fire. This and other activities drew numerous state lawmakers from across the country to APTA's booth, where APTA State Government Affairs staff and Illinois Chapter volunteers educated them about direct access to physical therapist services, referral for profit (POPTS), infringement concerns, reimbursement challenges, and other issues important to the physical therapy profession at the state level.