Some 25 Colorado physical therapy professionals donned their lobbying hats, rallied on Capitol Hill, and visited each of the offices of the state's nine-member congressional delegation. PTs asked their elected officials to support legislation that would allow Medicare beneficiaries to go directly to a physical therapist without obtaining a physician referral and to repeal the $1,590 Medicare therapy cap.
Thanks to Rep. Marilyn Musgrave (CO-4) and Rep. Tom Tancredo (CO-6) who both signed the Medicare Direct Access bill soon after the visits to their offices. For background on the Medicare Patient Access to Physical Therapists Act (HR792/S493), click here.
In addition, many thanks to Rep. Bob Beauprez (CO-7), Rep. Mark Udall (CO-2) and Rep. Marilyn Musgrave (CO-4) who have agreed to co-sponsor HR1125. Click here for more information on repealing the $1,590 Medicare therapy cap (HR1125/S569).
Chapter members are encouraged to send an email or fax a thank you note to these four elected officials. (Since the Anthrax scare, we have been advised NOT to write letters to Washington offices.) Their health aides will forward the message to them.
Rep. Marilyn Musgrave erika.heikkila@mail.house.gov fax: 202-225-5870
Rep. Tom Tancredo maureen.mcculloh@mail.house.gov fax: 202-226-4623
Rep. Bob Beauprez danielle.devere@mail.house.gov fax: 202-225-5278
Rep. Mark Udall lawrence.pacheco@mail.house.gov fax: 202-226-7840
| Colorado physical therapists march on Washington on June 19th in front of the U.S. Capitol. |
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Rep. Marilyn Musgrave (CO-4) meets constituent Kathleen Yocum, PT, Fort Collins. |
| Rep. Joel Hefley (CO-5) poses in his office with Colorado APTA members. |
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Rep. Mark Udall (CO-2) welcomes his constituents from the Boulder area. He was an early signer to HR 1125. |
| Colorado Chapter's Federal Affairs Liaison Ira Gorman, PT, tells Rep. Musgrave the problems with the $1,590 physical therapy cap. She later signed on to both bills. |
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Rachel Audi, left, health aide to Sen. Wayne Allard, listens intently as PTs tell how Direct Access would help Medicare beneficiaries. |
| Vivian Otteman, center, health aide to Sen. Ben Nighthorse-Campbell, takes notes during meeting with Colorado Physical Therapists. |
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