Spring 2013 Volume 33, Issue 1 The Official Publication of the South Dakota Physical Therapy Association President’s Message by Chris Barrett, PT, M.Ed. On the Cusp of Change As we move forward into 2013, there are many changes on the horizon. The Healthcare for America bill, including expansion of Medicaid, is one area that will continue to affect how Physical Therapists provide care for South Dakotans. The APTA continues to push forward with the Alternative Payment System and new mandatory Functional Limitations Reporting from CMS continues to add to necessary paperwork. It is important to look to the National APTA offices to assist us with learning about new requirements. The APTA offers pertinent articles in PT in Motion, PT in Motion courses, webinars and online continuing education through APTA’s Learning Center, and opportunities for educational seminars throughut the United States. It is important to use the valuable resources available through the APTA to allow for efficient and appropriate PT services. These are just a few of the opportunities offered with your membership in the APTA. On a local level, the Education Committee continues to assemble pertinent continuing education twice per year. The committee has put together courses that bring national speakers to our region saving us money and time away from our PTA Caucus 2 jobs. In addition, the Board of Directors holds a membership meeting to assist Ethics 3 members in discussing the business of the SDAPTA. I encourage you all to attend these meetings to participate in your Association, network with your colleagues and FAL Reports 3 help to create a forward momentum as we undergo the many changes that are PAC 7 occurring in our busy profession. USD PT Update 9 Upcoming Event 11 Treasurer’s Report by Patrick Hauer, PT, EdD LATI Update 12 The 2011 Financial Spread Sheet has been uploaded to the SDAPTA Conference 13 website. I would encourage all members to look over the spread sheet. As of 2-25-13 the association had $65,685.18 in checking and $151,511.50 in Fall Business 13 two Vanguard accounts. Contact Info 17 The majority of investments are in a Short-term Corporate Bond ETF with a small amount in Wellington Admiral Shares. Our investments earned the association $13,102.95 in 2012. Total assets = $217,196.68. Revenue generated in 2012 equaled $98,994.91, while expenses totaled $72,938.04 If anyone has questions or concerns regarding financial aspects of the association please feel free to contact me. [email protected] Reach Out Page 2 of 17 PTA Caucus by Brad Thuringer, PTA First, I would like to extend a personal thank you for your support that allowed me to represent our chapter at the 2012 PTA Caucus and House of Delegates (House) in Tampa Florida June 2-6, 2012. The PTA Caucus Business Meeting began with reports from groups that meet throughout the year, including the Communication Committee that has been focused on liaison relationships with the Sections; and the Education Task Force that has been discussing PTA entry-level requirements in light of Healthcare Reform. Niki Wallen, MO Representative and Alternate Delegate, conducted the annual leadership training program that helped participants to identify their leadership styles and the potential impact on others in group situations. Holly Clynch, MN Chief Delegate, provided background information about RCs 19-12 and 20-12 that address PTA entry-level education. Also, Shawne Soper, APTA Speaker of the House, provided a summary from the Governance Review Report. PTA Caucus Representatives and Delegates expressed their concern to the Speaker about decreased representation of PTAs in the House; the structure and function of the proposed PTA Assembly; and the ongoing absence of PTA representation on many chapter boards and the APTA Board of Directors. The PTA Caucus established new goals; compared them to previous goals and outcomes; and analyzed the likelihood of achieving the goals of the PTA Caucus within APTA’s current and proposed governance structure. The PTA Caucus election results: Amy Smith (AL) was elected Chief Delegate by acclamation; Niki Wallen (MO), Delegate (1-year term to fill Smith’s unexpired term); Russell Chrischilles (IA), Alternate Delegate; and Debbie Simmons (OK), Nominating Committee. Of particular interest to the PTA community in the 2012 House were RCs 1-12 through 12- 12 that pertained to proposed changes to the physical therapy practice model (PT-PTA- aide). The PTA Caucus continues to believe that the PTA is the only other provider that has the requisite knowledge and skills in physical therapy interventions that are required to provide safe and effective patient/client care and therefore, only support models that protect the patient (i.e. those models in which the PTA is the only other provider of physical therapy interventions). The PTA Caucus also believes that patients/clients would receive more timely care in models that included expanding the role of the PTA to include components of examination and evaluation. After considerable discussion, the House elected to continue to explore practice models that “are responsive to the needs of society and adaptable to our changing health care environment. Regarding RCs 19-12 and 20-12 that addressed PTA entry-level education, the PTA Caucus was in support of investigating the educational needs of the entry-level PTA who must be fully prepared to assist the autonomous, doctoring physical therapist. The House elected to conduct a feasibility study to explore the “need for implementation of the entry- level bachelor degree for the PTA.” A summary of the work of the House relative to PTA education can be found on the APTA’s web page at www.apta.org and search 2012 House of Delegates. I am looking forward to representing all South Dakota PTAs at the House of Delegates in Salt Lake City in June. I too look forward to seeing you in Yankton for our Spring Chapter Meetings. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me so that I can make sure your voice is heard. Page 3 of 17 Reach Out Ethics Committee by Patrick Cross, PT, DPT, EMT-B, RHF No formal ethical complaints have been submitted to the President of the SDAPTA and given a formal case number. Over the last 6 months the Ethics Committee has responded to various episodic ethical dilemmas, including potential overutilization of modalities, supervision of a new graduate without a license, and appropriate supervision of support personnel. FAL Report by Pat Cross, PT, DPT, EMT-B, RHF As the Federal Affairs Liaison for SDPTA, I have been privileged to participate in monthly phone calls and frequent e- mail correspondence with officials at the APTA. To say the least, the Federal Affairs Liaison position has been a very rewarding and fantastic educational experience for me. Based on last year’s survey results, I have tried to provide more information about federal affairs issues to you through numerous e-mails that Shelley has graciously sent out on my behalf, as well as regularly posting new information, in a more orderly and professional fashion, under the FAL Web page on the SDPTA Web site. I welcome additional ideas on how federal affairs information can be distributed more effectively and efficiently to membership. Many of the e-mails that have been sent out to membership were generated by officials at the APTA. These officials have also recognized a need to better educate FALs and membership; while trying to reduce frustrations related to duplicate e-mails (previously they did not tell FALs which e-mails were sent to general membership and which ones were not). It must be noted that we have an amazing group of individuals at the APTA who are constantly meeting with federal officials and analyzing bills, laws, and rulings, in attempt to advocate for our profession and those who we serve. I would hate to think what would occur if these individuals were not advocating on our behalf on a daily basis. I would like to thank Chris Barrett, Jamie Boomgarden, Karen Gallagher, Mike Latour, Phil Moe, Jim Simons, and Leonard Suel who served as Key Contacts in 2012. I would like to also thank Chris, Karen, and Phil, who have expressed to the APTA that they are willing to serve as Key Contacts again in 2013. Amanda Rausch will be joining this group as a new Key Contact. If there are any other individuals interested in serving as a Key Contact for specific SD federal officials, please let me know. Traditionally, most of the expenses related to attendance at the Federal Affairs Forum/ PT Day on Capitol Hill are paid by the APTA for the SDPTA FAL and 1 Key Contact. This year the event will be April 14 – 16. If anyone else intends on attending the conference, please let me know; the deadline for registration is March 22. I would like to thank the SDPTA Executive Board for approving funds to send select PT and/or PTA students to the Forum. From my experiences, the federal officials and their staff want to talk with the students, thus giving the SDPTA a lot more time and attention. I feel the extra time we are given to present our issues, as well as the increased potential for those students to become members of the APTA/SDPTA after graduation, due to their experiences, is worth every penny the SDPTA spends on this endeavor. Below is a list, with a brief synopsis, of some recent federal topics which have the potential or have already had a direct or indirect effect on physical therapy services in both urban and rural settings.