Advocacy Week Information

• 2022 Legislative Profile and Priorities
• 2022 Tacking Report

• House of Representatives Health and Government Operations Committee (HGO)
• Senate Education, Health and Environmental Affairs Committee (EHEA)
• Senate Finance Committee (Finance)

Fair Copay Legislation Introduced by APTA Maryland

Senate Bill 725 / House Bill 974 – Health Insurance – Physical Therapy – Copayments, Coinsurance, and Deductibles

Our Sponsors: Senator Cory McCray (Democrat) and Delegate Nicholas Kipke (Republican)

• Talking Points
• Copays by Condition and Frequency

Questions from Legislators

• What this legislation can do: Improve health care utilization; limit visits to ER; improve patient outcomes
• Other states that passed fair copay legislation: At least 11 States have passed legislation similar to the language below to limit the cost of copays. These states include Arkansas, Connecticut, Colorado, Iowa, Kentucky, Missouri, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, South Dakota
• What plans will this impact? This would impact the 30% of regulated plans in the state. In addition, we are working on a multi-pronged approach to address copays through:
• How to impact the other 70%: Coordination with new models of health care; Possible Collaboration with the Maryland PCP program 
• Data to date: Optum Health did a study on removing co pay for PT and it showed decreased odds of short-term and long-term opioid 1;  insured members use more rehabilitation services as cost-sharing is reduced and use less rehabilitation services as cost-sharing is increased. 2

The following bills we are addressing-  But Main Focus is on Fair Copay

State Board of Physical Therapy Examiners – Sunset Extension (SB 209)
– APTAMD has submitted our formal support for this bill.
FOR the purpose of continuing the State Board of Physical Therapy Examiners in accordance with the provisions of the Maryland Program Evaluation Act (sunset law) by extending to a certain date the termination provisions relating to the statutory  and regulatory authority of the Board; and generally relating to the State Board of Physical Therapy Examiners.

HB 56 Commission on Student Behavioral Health and Mental Health Treatment – Sponsor is Heather Bagnall (33)
Talking Points: Physical, behavioral, and mental health are inseparably interconnected within overall health and well-being. It is within the professional scope of physical therapist practice to screen for and address behavioral and mental health conditions in patients, clients, and populations.

HB 287 – Secretary of Health – Professional Qualification Requirement – Sponsors: Senator Brian Feldman (15)  and Delegate Pena -Melnyk (21)
Talking Points: The Secretary of Health is responsible for the health interests of all Marylanders; sets health care policy; administers laws relating to health issues; and adopts and revises a State health improvement plan. This legislation requires the Secretary of Health to be professionally qualified through experience or education in at least one of the following areas: health law or policy; health care facilities administration; health economics or financial management;  government operations related to health care; or as a health care provider.

HB 267 – Criminal Law – Threat Against Public Health Official or Hospital Staff Member – Sponsors Delegate Karen Young (3) & Senator Paul Young (3)
Talking Points: This emergency bill prohibits a person from knowingly and willfully making a “threat” to a “public health official” or “hospital staff member” with the intent to intimidate, interfere with, or impede a public health official or hospital staff member from performing official duties. Maryland is facing a health care workforce crisis and with many working on the pandemic frontlines, those “health care heroes” also have faced increasing incidents of workplace violence. That workplace violence leads to higher staff turnover, absenteeism, deterioration of employee morale and burnout. If passed, the bill can be a tool not only to help current health care workers, but also to encourage people considering careers in health care. We support this bill not only because it impact our PTs and PTAs, but because it impacts all public health officials  and hospital staff.

HB 8 Labor and Employment – Family and Medical Leave Insurance Program – Establishment (Time to Care Act of 2022) – Sponsors: Delegate Kriselda Valderrama (26) and Senator Antonio Hayes (40)
Talking Points: Marylanders need a real policy solution to address the country’s paid leave crisis. This would mean:
* Not having to choose between job and family;
* Older adults and working people of all ages can get the support they need to receive and provide critical care;
* People – especially women – aren’t forced to leave the labor force to care for their families or health, reducing turnover for employers and boosting the economy;
* A stronger economy, healthier families and businesses, greater equity regardless of a person’s job and more workplace equality for women.

Education

1. Blueprint for Maryland’s Future Accountability and Implementation
   Talking Points: This bill will establish pathways for school based allied health professionals to qualify for enhanced salary thresholds currently designed for teachers. Allied health professionals are working to have all health personnel included (PT, PT, SLP, Psych, etc.)

There are more bills of interest that may yet emerge as the Senate and House bill introduction deadlines draw near.  We expect a large number of bills as this is the last session before the elections next fall.

Keep Us Informed of Any Meetings or Communication with Legislators
Meeting with your legislator can be a powerful way to get your message across, as well as to listen to any health care related questions or concerns your legislator may have. It is a great way to build a relationship between APTA of Maryland and the legislator. Please consider contacting the Chapter first for more detailed information prior to your meeting including current cosponsors or existing relationships with your legislator. 

Legislation Action Center
APTA members can login to send prewritten letters to their legislators. The Legislative Action Center contains letters for current state and federal issues. Members can also find practice visit resources and a schedule of local town hall meetings with their legislators under the “Grassroots Resources” tab.

Patient Action Center
Patients and nonmembers can send prewritten letters to their members of Congress. The Patient Action Center contains letters focused on the patient impact of certain federal issues and bills. Learn more about the benefits of physical therapy at ChoosePT.com.

The APTA Maryland annual physical therapy advocacy week in Annapolis was created to help connect our physical therapy professionals and students with their legislators, and to mentor a new cadre of advocates.

We all have a story and experiences to share. We don’t all have to know the ins and outs of advocacy and politics. The important thing is to make a connection with your legislators, so they understand our priorities as a profession.

Advocacy Day Goals
 Educate the legislators on issues of importance to physical therapist professionals and their patients

• Begin what may develop into a long term professional relationship between legislators and physical therapy professionals and students
• Empower students and new professionals to engage in conversation with legislators
  What you can do as your groups’ mentor to enhance the advocacy experience
• Model professionalism
• Encourage the members in your group to do the talking and fill in as needed
• Recognize you may have a mix of PT and PTA professionals and students
• Recognize students and new professionals anxiety and discomfort
• In between appointments: go into session and observe proceedings; take a tour of the state house;write thank you notes to legislators and their staff;