APTA's 2023 House of Delegates Advances the Profession

This quarter we would like to spotlight the advocacy efforts being undertaken by members of this Academy within APTA House of Delegates. Many of our members advocate daily for the needs of the patients; however, we must continue to champion for changes in the profession nationally, locally, institutionally, and within APTA in order to ensure that we anticipate and meet the needs of current and future Academy of Acute Care Physical Therapy members. Do you follow the annual cycle of APTA's House of Delegates? Did you attend Academy townhalls to understand proposed motions? APTA's House of Delegates (House) is a policymaking body that is comprised of voting delegates from APTA's chapters, academies (sections), and PTA Caucus. The House also includes delegates that have a voice, however not a vote (eg, the Board of Directors, APTA Student Assembly, and consultants). The House meets annually and at the July 22-23, 2023, meeting, APTA Acute Care was represented by Dr. Jim Smith (Chief Delegate), Kate Brito (Delegate), and Traci Norris (President and Alternate Delegate). The business of the House typically involves establishing positions and priorities for the profession, making amendments to APTA's bylaws, and electing APTA's leaders on the Board of Directors and Nominating Committee. The 2023 House did exciting work on all of those things! The minutes for the 2023 House will be published at the end of September; therefore, we do not yet have the final language from the report. However, we want to share with you some of the exciting highlights from the House that promises to advance the profession and elevate the work being performed by acute care physical therapists (PTs) and physical therapist assistants (PTAs). APTA supports initiatives to improve rural health, such as increasing content about rural health in our education programs, promoting PTs as essential providers in rural health settings, while promoting PT and PTA inclusion in student scholarships, loan modification, and repayment programs that focus on rural areas. APTA is opposed to policies or rules of third-party payers being used or substituted for regulatory purposes. This position affirms that PTs and PTAs shall follow their jurisdictional practice acts that contain the statutes and regulations, along with APTA's ethical documents for the profession, and not rules imposed by third-party payers. APTA recommends education for PTs, PTAs, and students about human trafficking, including learning about screening tools for signs of human trafficking and methods of intervention to ensure optimal safety of the individual. APTA supports pay equity on the basis of sex assigned at birth/gender/gender identity in the physical therapy profession and society. A related motion directs APTA to work to promote pay equity on the basis of sex assigned at birth/gender/gender identity among PTs and PTAs. Additionally, APTA supports pay transparency by employers of PTs and PTAs. APTA will develop clinical and advocacy resources for PTs and PTAs for screening, referrals, and providing authorization for people to participate in community-based health promotion, injury prevention, and physical activity programs. A bylaw amendment was approved that will permit components, such as APTA Acute Care, to seat a PTA as a delegate to the House. Implementation by APTA Acute Care will require approval from members to change our bylaws. Please note that updates to association bylaws and policies will be published on the APTA website by October 13, while other resources will take some time for development. We also want to congratulate the following who were elected to leadership positions: Zoher Kapasi, PT, MSPT, PhD, MBA, FAPTA (Treasurer) Bill McGehee, PT, PhD (re-elected as Speaker of the House of Delegates) Colleen Chancler, PT, MHS, PhD (Director) Skye Donovan, PT, PhD (re-elected as Director) Kelley Kubota, PT, MS (Director) Dan Mills, PT, MPT (re-elected as Director) Ken Harwood, PT, PhD, FAPTA (Nominating Committee) LaDarius (L.D.) Woods, PT, DPT, PhD (Nominating Committee) Terms for each will be 3 years, except for Dan Mills, as he is filling a 1-year term. It was an honor to represent you at the 2023 House and we look forward to the implementation of these priorities for the profession. We are committed to continued engagement with membership on issues related to this cycle and future House of Delegates. Traci Norris, PT, DPT President Jim Smith, PT, DPT Chief Delegate