2011 PTA CAUCUS
PRESS RELEASE

Lisa Warwick, PTA represented the Maryland chapter of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) at APTA’s 2011 PTA Caucus and House of Delegates meetings in National Harbor, Maryland June 4-8, 2011.

The PTA Caucus was welcomed with brief comments from David Emerick, PTA Caucus Chief Delegate, Dr. R. Scott Ward, APTA President, and John Barnes, APTA CEO. Dr. Janet Bezner, APTA Deputy Executive Director provided a leadership training workshop on negotiation and influence.

The 47 PTA Caucus Representatives and five PTA Caucus Delegates attending the meetings divided into small groups to discuss issues and opportunities in communication, education, practice, advocacy, and strategy, areas identified by the 2010 PTA Caucus as requiring further discussion and planning.

The delegate summary of 2010-2011 activities included use of the data collected from the Representatives Survey at the 2010 House of Delegates (House) to update and prioritize PTA Caucus goals and objectives; and to facilitate the development of two new task forces within the PTA Caucus – Communication and Education. The Delegates also reviewed the FSBPT’s revised model practice act and monitored payment concerns, especially the situation with Kansas BC/BS; and developed RC 13-11 as a result of this activity.

Motions to the 2011 House were also discussed, including motion content and possible ramifications of passing/failing each motion of concern, especially in regards to those motions of greatest importance to the work and career of the PTA - RC 3-11, RCs 4-11 through 12-11, RC 13-11, and RC 14-11. Additionally, potential actions that could be taken on the floor of the House were described.

During the HOD, extensive discussion was heard relative to RC 3-11 that proposed expanding the current model of service delivery (ie, PT, PTA, PT aide/tech) to include other support personnel with the requisite training to provide physical therapy interventions under the direction and supervision of the physical therapist. This motion passed with a proviso delaying the effective date of the position to July 1, 2012. Prior to discussion of RC 4-11 the House adopted a motion referring RC 4-11 through 12-11 to the APTA Board of Directors with instruction to conduct a thorough investigation into possible service delivery models and their impact on the profession and patient/client care and called for the review of PTA education with any models of service delivery and the necessary changes in position(s) associated with them to be presented to the 2012 House. RC 13-11 that addressed payment was withdrawn by the PTA Caucus. RC 14-11 that addressed PTA student supervision was passed allowing PTAs to provide clinical supervision to PTA students with general supervision by the physical therapist. A summary of House actions written by APTA’s Secretary may be found on the House Community.

The following individuals were elected to leadership positions in the PTA Caucus and installed to begin their terms at the close of the 2011 House of Delegates: Carrie Perkins (AZ), delegate; Paul Purdue (WA), delegate; Niki Wallen (MO), alternate delegate; and Christina Wilson (AL), Nominating Committee.

The following individuals were acknowledged for completion of their terms: Carrie Perkins (AZ), delegate; Deb Bornmann (TX), delegate; Luis Williams (CA), alternate delegate; and Brenda Norton (SD), Chair, Nominating Committee.