Legislative Issues
Wyoming State Government
Winter 2007 Session
As the 2007, Wyoming Legislative session opened, there seemed to be little for Occupational Therapists to be concerned with. The proposed bills were reviewed and nothing seems to have an impact on the profession of Occupational Therapy in Wyoming . But as we all know, in politics, you can never leave your guard down and yes a bill to be concerned about popped into the radar screen.
House Bill 260 became THE bill of concern. This bill provided licensure to Athletic Trainers. Sounds good, right? Well, House Bill 260 opened the Occupational Therapy Practice Act up and simply added the profession of Athletic Trainers. Well, we know that all Occupational Therapists would support licensure for the Athletic Trainers, but could not support their profession piggy backing onto the Occupational Therapy Practice Act, so here is what happened.
WyOTA first discovered the problem when contacted by the Licensure Board and shortly after that phone conversation AOTA contacted us to make sure we were aware of the issue at hand. Surprised and shocked, the WyOTA Board worked closely with AOTA and the Wyoming Licensure Board to ensure that House Bill 260 did not move forward. Here is what we did:
• AOTA developed a position statement on behalf of WyOTA that was distributed to legislators and to the Athletic Trainers.
• WyOTA contacted the Athletic Trainers to discuss the proposed bill, expressing concerns and the need to have the bill withdrawn.
• WyOTA contacted the legislative sponsors of House Bill 260 to discuss the concerns and need to have the bill withdrawn.
• Key Occupational Therapists were contacted and asked to call their representatives and the sponsors of House Bill 260 to express concern and need for withdrawal.
• Occupational Therapists attended the Health Care Provider's Annual Pasta Bowl and visited with legislators regarding the issue at hand.
• WyOTA collaborated with the Wyoming Physical Therapy Association to have the bill withdrawn or killed at the committee level.
• WyOTA communicated concerns regarding House Bill 260 to committee members and urged them to kill the bill in committee.
• On going communication was held with the Athletic Trainers to ensure they were aware of the concerns and the efforts of the Wyoming Occupational Therapy Association to not allow this bill to proceed as written and presented.
• The Athletic Trainers withdrew House Bill 260 and presented a substitute bill providing them with licensure under their own board and statue.
• Occupational Therapists and Physical Therapists worked together and attended the committee meeting to ensure that the original bill was not moved out of committee.
What was the result of all these activities? Well, in one week the original House Bill 260 was withdrawn and the Athletic Trainers introduced a substitute bill into committee, which did not mention Occupational Therapy. Hurray!
This was a very stressful week for everyone involved and many Occupational Therapists worked very hard to ensure that the profession and the practice were protected. There were lots of late night phone calls and emails, plus plans to have all therapists in Wyoming contact the committee and their legislators regarding this issue were developed. Thankfully we did not need to implement the later step, but we know just how much the Athletic Trainers and the Legislators would have loved to talk to ALL the Occupational Therapists in Wyoming and we all knew that you would be more than willing to help out.
This was a very good lesson for all. Never assume anything when it comes to what happens in government. It was super to see how all aspects of the profession worked together and to have the collaborative efforts of the Physical Therapists. Great Job Everyone!
If you have any questions about this issue, please contact
Sarah King at Sarah-a-king@bresnan.net.
For a copy of the Position Statement on this issue click here.
|
