Referral for Profit Action

Hey DPT Bloggers, referral for profit is under fire in Missouri. We have a unique provision in the Physician's practice act that prevents doctors from referring patients for physical therapy and earning a profit off of it. As you can appreciate, that is bad for physical therapy as we lose the objectiveness of the referral and the true need for services. It seems that HB 2068 up in Jefferson City was passed by the House as a measure to clean up the current PT practice act, however, when it went to conference committee to work on language between the House and Senate, some Senators tried to amend the bill and add language that would allow physical therapists to work for physicians and thus generate revenue and profit for the referring doctors. This is unacceptable for the future of the profession and is a step backwards for us as professionals. I called my Senator and my Representative and emailed a few other contacts I have on Capitol Hill to do my part as a professional to save the profession, or at least how the profession operates in Missouri. I hope you do the same!

Together with you in His Service,

slesh

CSM 2009

Hello DPT Bloggers,

I just returned from a trip to Washington DC where I along with many of the other SPC (Section Program Chairs) began the task of planning for CSM 2009 which will be held in Las Vegas. Mandalay Bay, home of the famous Shark Reef, will be host to over 7000 physical therapy professionals coming to learn, network and develop themselves as professionals. The dates will be Feb 9 - 12, 2009. I hope that you will put these dates on your calendar and consider going. Keep checking the Blog for updated information on this great event!

Together with you in His service,

slesh

What You Missed in Branson

Wow Bloggers! What a great time we had at the Branson Landing for the Missouri Chapter of the American Physical Therapy Association State Meeting. Despite the devastating flooding in the area, a great opportunity for learning and professional interaction was promoted in the Hilton Convention Center. The food was tremendous, particularly the luncheon at the business meeting on Saturday, and I had a rather tasty omelet Saturday morning from room service. I saw many colleagues and peers from Rockhurst University and Ozark Technical Community college both of which brought students down to grow and develop as professionals. Ironically, the student session on Saturday evening was mostly filled by Rockhurst students, who then elected themselves to state office. Two of our students were at the student function and one even won $50 for showing up. If you went, I thank you for your efforts, your integrity and your professionalism. Tim Lyons, current Treasurer and APTA liaison to the Missouri Chapter, spoke at the luncheon on Saturday. He talked about some leadership imperatives that the APTA is promoting as well as grass roots marketing efforts. I found it interesting and a bit disappointing that he reported that only 34% of licensed PT professionals across the country are members of the professional association. I can't think of any good reason for me not to be a member. Your membership, support and professional participation is an obligation and part of what it means to be a professional. I hope and pray that at some point in time each of you will also come to a realization that there is no good reason for you not to be a member as well.

Together with you in His service!

slesh

Ronald McDonald House

Hey DPT Bloggers, I mad a mad dash from my office to Wal-Mart just the other day to make some purchases that I had forgotten about. I bought several bags of Mozzarella cheese, a variety of bottle soft drinks and some of the new Cheerio brand snack mix. Hurrying back to the office, I caught the student I was looking for as she was piling her stuff into her car from a hard days work on campus. Giving her the food stuffs, I told her I was proud of what her and her peers were doing as they went about their business. Where were they heading? To the Ronald McDonald House of course! It seems this group of SBU DPT students has been going once a month to this charity organization and cooking dinner for those parents and families using the facilities. The menu for the weekend was home made pizza! Again, I can't be more proud of the students that give of themselves and their time to serve others. Keep up the great work!

Together with you in His service!

slesh