The American Occupational Therapy Association’s (AOTA) annual Hill Day, designed as an opportunity for healthcare professionals to bring their concerns to their state’s lawmakers, offer solutions, ask questions, and listen to guest speakers, has been set for September 30.
The AOTA notes that hundreds of occupational therapy clinicians, educators, and students nationwide are expected to meet with elected officials on Capitol Hill from 8 am to 10:30 am to discuss key legislative issues impacting the professional and the state of healthcare.
In a recent news release, the AOTA states than more than 514 occupational therapy practitioners and students visited Capitol Hill last year. More than 600 to date have now reportedly registered for the 2013 event.
Heather Parsons, director of Legislative Advocacy, AOTA, designates the event as the organization’s most important grassroots event. “AOTA’s Capitol Hill Day offers a chance for occupational therapy practitioners to bring their unique perspective to Congress, educate lawmakers about the importance of the professional, and explain how legislative policies affect those who receive occupational therapy services,” Parsons says.
The AOTA reports that, nationwide, more than 140,000 occupational therapy practitioners assist individuals across the lifespan, allowing them to participate in tasks they want and need to do through the therapeutic use of everyday activities.
To learn more, contact [email protected] or visit www.aota.org,
[Source: AOTA]
