APTQI Advocates on Capitol Hill for Medicare Stability & Expanded Falls Prevention Measures

Members of the Alliance for Physical Therapy Quality & Innovation (APTQI) recently spent two days in Washington meeting with federal lawmakers and staff to advocate for physical and occupational therapy. The meetings were specifically focused on combatting provider reimbursement cuts and legislation to improve falls prevention measures for older Americans as well as general education.

• Medicare Patient Access and Practice Stabilization Act (HR 879): Bipartisan legislation to reverse the -2.8% Medicare Physician Fee Schedule cut that went into effect on January 1 and provide a 2% Medicare update for 2025 to specialty healthcare providers, including physical and occupational therapists.
• Stopping Addiction and Falls for the Elderly (SAFE) Act: Bipartisan legislation to allow Medicare beneficiaries to receive a no-cost falls risk assessment from a physical or occupational therapist as part of their annual wellness benefit. Introduced in the 118^th Congress, APTQI is working with House lawmakers to ensure reintroduction of the SAFE Act.
• Value of Physical Therapy: APTQI is committed to always educating lawmakers in Congress and other policy influencers on the value of physical and occupational therapy to our nation’s healthcare system, including improved patient outcomes and lower healthcare costs.

APTQI members met with lawmakers and staff from bipartisan offices including Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Tim Scott (R-SC), and Representatives Don Bacon (R-NE), Mike Carey (R-OH), Jeff Van Drew (R-NJ), Beth Van Duyne (R-TX), Lizzie Fletcher (D-TX), Mike Kelly (R-PA), Nick LaLota (R-NY), Carol Miller (R-WV), Mike Rogers (R-AL), and Melanie Stansbury (D-NM). APTQI also met with representatives from AARP.

Participants in these meetings included representatives from Athletico, ATI Physical Therapy, First Settlement Physical Therapy, FOX, Ivy Rehab, Prompt Therapy Solutions, Therapy Partners Group, and USPh.

To urge lawmakers to cosponsor HR 879, CLICK HERE.