Recent News

News from the PTA department

October 19, 2015

The Bay State College PTA department has been very busy over the last few months. We love hearing about the conferences and events our faculty and students are attending… and we thought you would too! 

In May 2015, four PTA faculty members and two recent graduates of the PTA program attended “PT on the Hill Day” along with many other American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) of MA members at the Massachusetts State House to advocate for the profession and patients. They met with Massachusetts senators and representative regarding upcoming legislation and also manned tables at the PT Scope of Practice Fair. 

In June 2015, faculty member Dr. Carolyn Cwalinski attended Capitol Hill Day and along with over 1,100 PTs and PTAs. Below is an excerpt from the magazine PT in Motion about the event. The full article can be found here: http://www.apta.org/PTinMotion/News/2015/6/5/HillDay1/   

Physical Therapy Transforms: More Than 1,000 Bring the Message to Capitol Hill

A little rain wasn't going to stop more than 1,100 PTs, PTAs, and students of physical therapy from across the United States from converging on Capitol Hill to remind lawmakers of the importance of the profession.

Galvanized by Congress's recent decision not to include a permanent repeal of the Medicare therapy cap with legislation that eliminated the flawed sustainable growth rate formula, supporters of physical therapy showed up in record numbers on June 4 for PT Day on Capitol Hill, an event that began with an 8:00 am rally before participants fanned out across the halls of Congress for 440 scheduled visits to house and senate offices to discuss issues affecting the physical therapy profession and the patients and clients it serves.

Monica Massaro, APTA congressional affairs manager, described the event as the second-largest PT advocacy event in APTA history.

While a permanent repeal of the therapy cap remains a priority for the association, Hill Day participants also discussed several other key APTA legislative priorities, including legislation that would allow PTs to participate in the National Health Services Corps, and another bill that would permit PTs to bring in another qualified PT to cover for them during temporary absences such as illness, pregnancy, and vacation. Also discussed: legislation that would recognize PTs as health care professionals qualified to make return-to-participation decisions for youth sports participants who have experienced a concussion.

PTs also participated in a health and fitness clinic for legislators and their staffs. Assessments included grip strength, balance, blood pressure, and a golf swing analysis.

Every year, APTA hosts an advocacy event to educate policymakers about a physical therapist's role in improving and restoring mobility in individuals' lives. This year's event coincided with the association's NEXT Conference & Exposition in National Harbor, Maryland.