<p>Here's a couple of items from APTA that may be of interest.</p><p>Jill
Cooper, IPTA</p><p>
</p>
<p><font color="#000000"><font face="Arial"><font size="2"><b>PTA Urges
Contacting Congress on Therapy Cap, Fee Schedule</b><br />Physical
therapists, physical therapist assistants and students are being
encouraged to tell their members of Congress to repeal the Medicare
therapy cap and prevent fee schedule cuts. APTA has issued an Action
Alert
(</font></font></font><a target="_blank"
href="http://vocusgr.vocus.com/grspace2/WebPublish/Controller.aspx?SiteName=APTA&Definition=ViewIssue&IssueID=3419"><font
color="#0000ff"><font face="Arial"><font
size="2">http://vocusgr.vocus.com/grspace2/WebPublish/Controller.aspx?SiteName=APTA&Definition=ViewIssue&IssueID=3419</font></font></font></a><font
color="#000000"><font face="Arial"><font size="2">)
for grassroots advocates, and the Association?s Legislative Action
Center
(</font></font></font><a target="_blank"
href="http://vocusgr.vocus.com/grspace2/WebPublish/controller.aspx?SiteName=APTA&Definition=Home&XSL=Home&SV_Section=Home"><font
color="#0000ff"><font face="Arial"><font
size="2">http://vocusgr.vocus.com/grspace2/WebPublish/controller.aspx?SiteName=APTA&Definition=Home&XSL=Home&SV_Section=Home</font></font></font></a><font
color="#000000"><font face="Arial"><font size="2">)
provides resources, including a sample letter
(</font></font></font><a target="_blank"
href="http://vocusgr.vocus.com/grspace2/WebPublish/Controller.aspx?SiteName=APTA&Definition=ContactLegislators&IssueID=3419"><font
color="#0000ff"><font face="Arial"><font
size="2">http://vocusgr.vocus.com/grspace2/WebPublish/Controller.aspx?SiteName=APTA&Definition=ContactLegislators&IssueID=3419</font></font></font></a><font
color="#000000"><font face="Arial"><font size="2">),
for contacting Congress. In 2006, Congress allowed the therapy caps
to go into effect, but authorized Medicare to allow exceptions for
medically necessary coverage through 2007. HR 748/S 450 permanently
repeals the cap, and more cosponsors are needed to continue building
support for the legislation. Meanwhile, Congressional action is
needed to block a proposed 9.9 % reduction in Medicare payments due
to the sustainable growth rate (SGR) formula. Congress has stopped
cuts over the past 5 years. Congress will be debating Medicare
legislation over the next 2 weeks, so now is the time to contact
members to repeal the cap and prevent fee schedule
cuts.</font></font></font></p>
<p><font color="#000000"> <font face="Arial"><font size="2"><b>July 31
Application Deadline for Specialist Certification Exams</b><br />In 2007, an
additional 828 physical therapists achieved board-certification by
the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties (ABPTS). To date,
7,573 of your colleagues have achieved this professional distinction.
Physical therapists with at least 2,000 hours of direct patient care
in one of seven specialty areas (Cardiovascular and Pulmonary,
Clinical Electrophysiologic, Geriatrics, Neurologic, Orthopaedics,
Pediatrics, and Sports) may be eligible for certification by ABPTS.
Information on additional minimum eligibility requirements and the
application booklet can be downloaded from the Specialist
Certification Web page at
</font></font></font><a target="_blank"
href="http://www.apta.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Exams&Template=/TaggedPage/TaggedPageDisplay.cfm&TPLID=203&ContentID=22444"><font
color="#0000ff"><font face="Arial"><font
size="2">http://www.apta.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Exams&Template=/TaggedPage/TaggedPageDisplay.cfm&TPLID=203&ContentID=22444</font></font></font></a><font
color="#000000"><font face="Arial"><font size="2">.
Please remind your members that applications for the 2008 specialist
certification examinations must be postmarked by July 31. The
examinations will be administered at Prometric Testing Centers from
February 23 to March 8, 2008. Please contact the Specialist
Certification Department at ext 8520 or at </font></font></font><a
target="_blank" href="mailto:spec-cert@apta.org"><font color="#0000ff"><font
face="Arial"><font size="2">spec-cert@apta.org</font></font></font></a><font
color="#000000"><font face="Arial"><font size="2">
if you have any questions or would like additional information.
</font></font></font>
</p>
<p><font color="#000000"> </font></p>