Newt Gingrich, former Speaker of the House and founder of the Center for Health Transformation, will address more than 2,000 PTs, PT assistants, and PT students at the opening ceremonies of the American Physical Therapy Association’s (APTA’s) annual conference and exposition (PT 2009) on June 10, from 5:30 to 7:30 pm at the Baltimore Convention Center in Maryland.
Gingrich is expected to focus his remarks on his vision for a health care system of the future, which is prevention-focused, knowledge-intense, innovation-rich and centered on the individual, says APTA.
As an author on the subject, Gingrich has been outspoken in recent months as debate regarding President Obama’s plans for health care reform builds, notes APTA. His new book, Saving Lives & Saving Money: Transforming Health Care in the 21st Century, delves into his thoughts on the current health care system and how he feels it should evolve for improved efficiency and a healthier future.
APTA President R Scott Ward, PT, PhD, says APTA has been monitoring and working with key players on Capitol Hill to ensure the physical therapy profession is properly represented as plans for health care reform are developed and rolled out. “At a time when our health care system is under scrutiny and poised for change, it is important for us to hear many viewpoints on the possible future of health care in the United States. Mr Gingrich’s perspective of issues such as the rising costs in health care and Medicare reform will be especially interesting to us,” Ward said, in a statement released by APTA.
PT 2009 is scheduled to take place from June 10 to 13.
[Source: APTA]
