March/April, 2012 Volume XLVIl, NO. 2 Empire State Physical Therapy The Official Newsletter of the New York Physical Therapy Association, Inc. Future Changes to Governance president’s letter (page 2) Legislative Advocate Registration Form register for lobby day (Page 3) 2012 Legislative Plan see what NYPTA is lobbying for (page 4) 2012 Committee Assignments find out if your representative is on a committee (page 5) Proposed Changes Your Profession NEEDS YOU ! to Public Health By Michael Mattia, PT, DPT, MS Law Affecting Early Chair, Advisory Panel on Legislation Intervention We are rapidly approaching our annual Lobby Day which is May 15th. Each highlights of proposed changes (page 9) year our chapter mobilizes and attends this very productive and educational day. It is a day for us to make our voices heard to our elected officials regarding Minority Members, Are legislation and issues that directly affect our practice in New York State. We the 1% or the 99%? (Page 11) As the new Chair of the Advisory Panel on Legislation for our chapter, I am appealing to each and every member to strongly consider attending this year’s 2012 Slate of event. The issues at hand, high co-pays, decreased reimbursement, Workers’ Compensation reform, increasing health care premiums, decreasing state and Candidates federal health care budgets, and POPTS must be addressed and the time is read their statements (page 16) NOW. As a practitioner, administrator, teacher, and advocate, I believe that we are at a critical junction for our profession. Understand that it matters not where or what form of physical therapy services you render, these issues directly Ethical and Legal impact your ability to practice and receive reasonable payment for necessary Considerations services. Regarding the Utilization of Support Personnel in My conversations with PTs in every area of practice and specialty center around the pressures of professional practice under the ever-increasing burden PT Practice of federal, state, and private payer cuts to reimbursement and access to our is there an ethical way to delegate? (page services. 19) continued on page 4 Volume XLVII, No. 2 President’s Letter March/April, 2012 Future Changes to Governance EMPIRE STATE PHYSICAL THERAPY Publisher New York Physical Therapy Association While longer days mean that spring is right around the corner they also signal 5 Palisades Drive, Suite 330 a time of intense activity for both the NYPTA and the APTA. Albany, NY 12205 Phone: 518.459.4499 • Toll-Free: 800.459.4489 Fax: 518.459.8953 I attended the Combined Sections Meeting (CSM) in Chicago in February Web Page: www.nypta.org and found myself returning home more energized than ever about our Editor / Designer profession and the people who serve in it. Normally in these letters I try to Bibiana Braun bring a positive approach to where we are and the journey ahead. In this Empire State Physical Therapy is published 6 times yearly, letter, however, I would like to share with you a few major issues now being with combined January/February, March/April, May/June, July/ August, September/October and November/December issues. Its addressed at both the national and chapter levels. purpose is to provide physical therapists, physical therapist assistants and physical therapist/physical therapist assistant students with accurate and timely information relevant to the practice of physical Two major issues currently under discussion within the APTA are review therapy. The editor reserves the right to edit all communications. of our governance processes and a motion titled “Physical Therapist Anonymous letters will not be published. Views expressed are those of the author and do not represent the formal position of NYPTA Responsibility and Accountability for the unless expressly stated. “Ultimately, it would not be Delivery of Care” (formally referred to as RC3) which was passed at the 2011 House Editorial Board surprising to see the House Claudia B. Fenderson, PT, EdD, PCS of Delegates make significant of Delegates. Melanie A. Gillar, PT, DPT, MA changes to the governance Susan Miller, PT, DPT, MS, OCS structure and processes of our The Governance Review, Advertisements association.” which began in 2009, All advertisements in Empire State Physical Therapy must established a task force to comply with the ethical standards of the APTA. Acceptance of advertisements in this publication does not imply endorsement. Matthew R. Hyland, PT, PhD, MPA, CSCS evaluate existing governance processes and best practices Submission of Material for Publication Submissions should be sent via email to Bibiana Braun, Editor, at and make a recommendation [email protected]. Submissions are subject to the discretion of the to the Board of Directors, to enable them to make potential motions to the editorial board. 2013 House of Delegates (HOD). Prior to the recent CSM, the Governance Subscriptions Task Force orally provided the APTA Board of Directors (Board) with their NYPTA members automatically receive this publication. initial recommendations, and will provide a final written report to the Board Nonmember subscriptions are $100 (US) or $150 (non-US) annually. in April. As part of this process, the task force took an extensive look at the This price includes sales tax, shipping and handling. composition and function of the Board of Directors, House of Delegates, Deadlines Sections and Chapters. And, while I’m sure there will be a great deal of Editorial and advertising deadlines are the first business day of the discussion and debate about the direction our governance structure should month prior to the month of publication. take moving forward, one thing is for certain: The work of the task force has Chapter Officers President Matthew R. Hyland, PT, PhD, MPA, CSCS been extensive and thorough. Although the final outcome of governance Vice President Jennifer Collins, PT, EdD, MPA review is unknown at this time, the task force -- including Chapter members Treasurer Scott Minor, PT, PhD Secretary Jeremy Crow, PT, DPT, SCS Jim Dunleavy (HV) and Nate Mosher (E) -- should be commended for their Speaker Peggy J. Lynam, PT, DPT, NCS work. Chief Delegate Lynn Rivers, PT, PhD Chapter Directors Ultimately, it would not be surprising to see the House of Delegates Brooklyn/Staten Island David Sofer, PT Catskill Keri A. Gill-Smith, PT make significant changes to the governance structure and processes of Central Michael Tisbe, PT Eastern Dolores F. Montero PT, DPT, GCS our association. I think we would all agree that people do not like change Finger Lakes Jeremy Bittel, PT, DPT because it is inherently scary and often creates conflict. But, as I mentioned Greater New York Debra Engel, PT, DPT, MS Hudson Valley Kathleen Birnbaum, PT in the last issue, change is here whether we like it or not; it is an essential Long Island Bill O'Keefe, PT Southern Tier Joel VanSlyke, PT, DPT, GCS part of our evolution as an association and as a profession. So, instead of Western Mark Basile, PT fighting it, we need to embrace it, shape it and thrive within it. Chapter Office Staff Executive Director Leslie J. Wood, CAE With respect to RC3, in 2011 the House of Delegates passed a motion titled ([email protected]) Communications Director Bibiana Braun “Physical Therapist Responsibility and Accountability for the Delivery of ([email protected]) Assistant Director Kelly Garceau Care,” which reads as follows: ([email protected]) Finance Manager Pamela J. Cook ([email protected]) Administrative Assistant Linda Brown ([email protected]) continued on page 21 Copyright 2012 by the New York Physical Therapy Association. Requests for reprints should be directed to Bibiana Braun at NYPTA, 5 Palisades Drive, 2 | Empire Physical Therapy • March/April, 2012 Suite 330, Albany, NY 12205. www.nypta.org I I I I I I I I NYPTA Lobby Day T u e s d a y , May 15, 2012 I Legislative Advocate Registration Form Legislative advocacy refers to efforts of influencing elected officials by voicing I your suggestions or ideas to your elected official. I Legislative Office Building ★ Corner of State and Eagle Streets ★ Albany, New York Registration Center: 3rd Floor Terrace ★ 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Appointments With Legislators: 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. I . I Legislative Advocate: That’s YOU! Please print or type. I Name: ❑ PT ❑ PTA ❑ SPT ❑ SPTA ❑ Other NYPTA District: Phone number: (_______) I Home address: Email address: City: ________________________________________ State: ZIP: Name of School: I Coordinator: Expected arrival time: Expected departure time : I ★ Lobbying Participation: Please indicate your availability for the functions listed below. You must fill in an answer for each question listed. I 1. I will be available for appointments with legislators 1. ❑ Yes ❑ No 2. My availability for legislator appointments: 2. a.m.– p.m. I 3. I wish to accompany another therapist who has previously visited a legislator.. 3. ❑ Yes ❑ No 4. My senator’s name: 4. 5. My assemblyperson’s name: 5. I 6. If you are a faculty member, how many students are you planning to bring? 7. I ★ New York Legislators: Don’t know who your legislators are? No problem! Go to the following web page: http://www.nypta.org/displaycommon.cfm?an=8 and scroll down to “don’t kno who your legislators are” ★ Legislator Appointments and Transportation: Your District Legislative Liaison will use the above information to make all I legislator appointments. Contact your Legislative Liaison to find out if car pools or bus transportation are available. I ★ IMPORTANT: Photo ID is required for all visitors who wish to park at the Empire State Plaza, including the driver and oc- cupants in the car. Those without proper ID will not be allowed to park at the Empire State Plaza. P-3 North has been renamed to V-LOT (visitor’s lot).