Ron, I have an update to the scope of practice issue in NJ. As I understand it, NJOTA representatives very recently met with the PTs to discuss this bill and Meryl now reports that they have agreed " to amend the language - everywhere in the document where it lists function with be replaced by movement-related function." However we have not seen the amendment in print yet. Other language in the bill states that the PT scope of practice includes "such other treatments and functions as may be further defined by the board by regulation." This language is problematic as it would limit the PT scope of practice to the imagination of the PT board! Objections about this phrase have also been raised. We will be watching this legislation closely.
Thanks for raising this issue with your listserv members. We expect a number of bills to be introduced in 2003 to broaden the PT scope of practice and will be working with state OT associations to modify or defeat those proposals. In some states we may need practitioners to write letters to their state legislators to raise concerns about these bills. Chuck Willmarth AOTA State Affairs Group >>> [EMAIL PROTECTED] 10/29/02 07:54AM >>> Hello All: In Volume 4(4) of AOTA's State Affairs Group Newsletter, there's an article from Meryl Marger Picard, New Jersey's Legislative Chair, regarding Scope of Practice changes to that State's PT Practice Act. If you are interested, you can read the proposed language at the following address: http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2002/Bills/s2000/1663_I1.pdf Ms. Picard states: "APTA wants this language incorporated since the insurance companies are so concerned about functional outcomes" (p.6) Just another example of professional encroachment issues. Ron *********«************ Unsubscribe? Send a message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] In the message's *body*, put the following text: unsubscribe OTlist ** List messages are archived at: http://www.mail-archive.com/otlist@;otnow.com *********«************ *********®©*********** Unsubscribe? Send a message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] In the message's *body*, put the following text: unsubscribe OTlist ** List messages are archived at: http://www.mail-archive.com/otlist@;otnow.com *********®©***********
