State Advocacy

APTA State Government Affairs is here to assist state chapters reach their state legislative goals and defend the physical therapy scope of practice from infringement. In addition to tracking and analyzing various state legislation, assisting with grassroots, and formulating legislative strategies, we offer a variety of services for chapters outlined below. We are also available (schedule permitting) to speak at chapter meetings on state legislative issues.

Justin Elliott, Director
Angela Chasteen, Associate Director

Issues

• Current Issues

Activities and Events

• APTA State Legislative Leadership Award

  The nomination process for the 2013 State Legislative Leadership Award is now closed.

• State Policy & Payment Forum

  September 15-17, 2013 - Omaha, Nebraska

News

• Connecticut Bill Places Limit on Patient Copays for Physical Therapist Services - 8/28/13
• APTA Exhibits at 2013 NCSL Legislative Summit - 8/22/13
• Maine Law Further Protects Health Care Providers in Preferred Provider Arrangements - 7/30/13
• New Missouri Law Limits Patient Copays for Physical Therapy - 7/9/13
• Passage of New Law Makes Hawaii Final State to Require Regulation of Physical Therapist Assistants - 6/28/13
• Texas Adds Title Protection for the DPT Degree - 6/17/13
• Oklahoma EHR Largely Unscathed by Tornado - 5/29/13
• Oregon Removes Restrictions to Patient Access to Physical Therapist Services - 5/10/13
• New Indiana Law Gives Patients Direct Access to Physical Therapists - 4/30/13
• Texas Chapter Advocates for Patient Access to PT Services, Title Protection for DPT - 4/19/13
• CA Joint Manipulation Bill Voted Down, But Reconsideration Granted - 4/19/13
• Oklahoma Chapter's Rally Day Has Great Success - 4/5/13
• California PTs Rally Against Senate Bill 381 - 4/4/13
• Kansas Improves Patient Access to Physical Therapists - 4/3/13
• New Legislation Means Reduced Out-of-Pocket Expenses For Patients in Arkansas - 3/21/13
• Bill Aimed at Weakening NY Self-referral Law Vetoed - 10/5/12
• KY Governor Appoints Physical Therapist to Health Exchange Board - 9/20/12
• In California, a Rough Ride for Senate Bill 924 - 8/30/12
• APTA Exhibits at 2012 NCSL Legislative Summit - 8/17/12
• North Carolina Enacts Legislation Ensuring Patient Choice and Coverage of PT Services - 7/10/12
• Hawaii Chapter Helps Thwart Cuts to Outpatient Rehab Under QUEST - 6/21/12
• Patients in Alabama Gain Direct Access to Physical Therapist Services - 5/2/12
• Alabama Becomes 47th Direct Access State - 5/1/12
• Oklahoma Adds Wellness Services to Physical Therapy Practice Act - 4/12/12
• PT in Motion Article: The Fight for Fair Copays - 3/1/12
• South Dakota Law Limits Physical Therapy Copays- 2/27/12
• New Resources Available to Assist State Advocacy Efforts on Fair PT Copays - 12/8/11
• 2012 APTA State Legislative Grants Announced - 12/5/11
• APTA Exhibits at 2011 NCSL Annual Conference - 8/11/11
• Patients in Hawaii Gain Direct Access to Physical Therapist Services - 1/6/11

Coalition for Patients' Rights

• APTA Responds to AMA on Draft 'Scope of Practice Data Series' (.pdf) - 12/22/09
• CPR Calls on AMA to Cease Divisive Efforts to Limit Patients' Choice of Providers (.pdf) - 6/8/06
• Statement: Health Care Professoinals Urge Cooperative Patient Care (.pdf) - 6/8/06

State Practice Acts

• Licensure

  Includes links to state practice acts.

Advocacy Resources

• Publication: 'Today's Physical Therapist' (.pdf)

• Last Updated: 8/28/2013
• Contact: advocacy@apta.org
• = Members Only