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Critical issues identified and adopted for 2006

Rehab Regs, November 18, 2005

The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) adopted 12 policy areas proposed as critical ongoing and emerging federal issues for PTs and PTAs in 2006 at its recent board of directors meeting, according to PT Bulletin Online.

The critical issues, which are based on responses from APTA components and individual members, help the association focus its advocacy resources and activities.

The "2006 Critical Issues in Federal Government Affairs" are ranked in two tiers. Based on recommendation of APTA components, individual members, and the Government Affairs Committee, the following changes were approved:

• Under Level I priorities, APTA broadened former Level II issue "Medicare Clinical Coverage Issues," which is now called "Federal Clinical Coverage Issues," so that it now goes beyond Medicare to include other federal infringement issues. APTA added the Medicare physician fee schedule as a priority under "Medicare Payment Policies" along with Medicare documentation standards and pay-for-performance/value-based purchasing policies.
• Under Level II priorities, the board redefined "Public Health Initiatives" into condition- and population-specific issues. New Level II issues for 2006 include "Setting-Specific Federal Policies and Standards," which will include relevant issues such as IDEA and programs for children with disabilities, and "Electronic Medical Records/IT."
• APTA removed priorities "Expanding Health Coverage" and "Professional Liability Reform," although the association will continue to monitor the issues and seek opportunities to support action.

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