The American Occupational Therapy Association  (AOTA) reports that its annual Hill Day saw more than 500 occupational therapy clinicians, educators, and students from across the nation convene on Capitol Hill September 24 to discuss key legislative issues impacting the profession and state of health care. The event is intended to be an annual opportunity for occupational therapy professionals to bring their concerns to their state’s lawmaker’s offices in order to offer solutions, ask questions, and listen to guest speakers addressing topics that affect their work.

Gail Fisher, MPA, OTR/L, American Occupational Therapy Political Action (AOTPAC) chair explains that, “Meeting with legislators and their staff can be an intimidating but empowering experience. I expect Hill Day participants to be more willing to help in the future with grassroots lobbying and supporting AOTA so that our voice is head not only on Hill Day, but year-round.”

The AOTA notes that Hill Day attendees advocated for a variety of changes, including urging congressional support to pass the Medicare Access to Rehabilitation Services Act (S. 829/H.R. 1546) which reportedly seeks to repeal therapy caps implemented by the Balanced Budget Act of 1997, the inclusion of occupational therapy in the Federal Definition of “Behavioral and Mental Health Professional,” in the National Health Services Corps through promotion of H.R. 3762, and encouraging congressional support of the Medicare Home Health Flexibility Act (H.R. 2468) in order to provide occupational therapy equality among other services provided by home health agencies to allow Medicare beneficiaries to receive the most appropriate skilled service to meet their needs.

According to the AOTA, the goal of Hill Day centers on asking legislators to help raise the public’s awareness about occupational therapy and its ability as an evidence-based, research-driven intervention to implement a holistic, goal-oriented practice to help individuals live life to the fullest. 

For more information visit http://www.aota.com and to visit AOTA’s Legislative Action Center, click here. 

Source: AOTA