The 83rd Texas legislature is now in session, and with it comes the latest effort to improve patient access to physical therapy.
As it stands right now in the state of Texas, patients cannot receive treatment by a physical therapist without a referral from a physician, dentist, chiropractor, podiatrist, physician assistant, or advanced nurse practitioner. Contrary to popular belief, this is not an insurance issue - this is the law. Physical therapists are one of the few (if not only) health care providers in the state of Texas that require a referral for treatment. Texas patients can see a chiropractor, massage therapist, acupuncturist, rolfer, and even a personal trainer without a referral, yet cannot do the same with a physical therapist.
How does that affect patients? It serves as an arbitrary, unnecessary and costly access barrier - plain and simple. The current restrictions are not based on evidence; however, they increase wait times and cost to patients.
It is time to remove arbitrary barriers for patient access. This would be accomplished this session with HB 1039 and SB 402.
On February 12, Texas physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, their patients, students, and supporters will be advocating for patient access to physical therapy at the State Capitol. They will be there in support of two bills intended to improve patient access to physical therapy: House Bill 1039 (Rep. Eiland) and Senate Bill 402 (Sen. Rodriguez). Neither of these bills changes the scope of practice for physical therapists. They are specifically intended to improve patient access to care.
Do you want to participate? Join us for Legislative Day on February 12. Register here.
Not certain who represents you? Click here.
A new legislative session also brings new committee appointments for 2013:
House Public Health Committee members ? Rep. Lois W. Kolkhorst (Chair), Rep. Elliott Naishtat (Vice Chair), Rep. Garnet Coleman, Rep. Nicole Collier, Rep. Philip Cortez, Rep. Sarah Davis, Rep. R. D. ?Bobby? Guerra, Rep. Susan King, Rep. Jodie Laubenberg, Rep. J. D. Sheffield, and Rep. Bill Zedler.
Senate Health And Human Services Committee members ? Sen. Jane Nelson (Chair), Sen. Bob Deuell (Vice Chair), Sen. Joan Huffman, Sen. Robert Nichols, Sen. Charles Schwertner, Sen. Larry Taylor, Sen. Carlos Uresti, and Sen. Royce West.?????
Write a letter to your representative and to members of the House and Senate committees, asking for their support of these important patient access bills.
You can find further resources at http://www.accessyourphysicaltherapist.com. I have also written a number of articles over the past five years on this topic - just search the archives for "direct access" for plenty of reading on the issue.
Stay tuned for details as they are available ? and see you at the Capitol on February 12.
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