Charge

The Public Policy and Advocacy Committee provides strategic advice, counsel, and options to the Board of Directors regarding: 1) how APTA can be responsive to and advocate for society’s needs for health care, rehabilitation, and other services provided by physical therapists and physical therapist assistants; 2) current and emerging public policy issues impacting the provision of physical therapy, rehabilitation, and health care services, including, but not limited to, delivery systems, payment for services, public health, quality, research, education, and access to care; and, 3) how to advance the profession within public policy arenas, including but not limited to legislative and regulatory venues.

The Board of Directors’ determined charge for the Public Policy and Advocacy Committee is to:

• Identify and recommend public policy priorities for APTA to the Board of Directors. This work will be conducted to coincide with the session of the United States Congress.
• Identify public policy opportunities and challenges for physical therapy and generate reports and recommendations on strategies to address these for the Board of Directors.
• Provide advice and counsel as requested to the Board of Directors and staff regarding the development of strategies on how to best position the physical therapy profession to meet the needs of society and the profession.
• Assess advocacy and member needs to empower members with information to be engaged in association policy efforts.
• Advise and counsel the APTA Board of Directors on proposed policies and positions coming before APTA’s House of Delegates on annual basis.
• Coordinate and collaborate with other APTA appointed groups and stakeholders, when doing so can further the work of the committee.
• Submit a report to the Board of Directors on an annual basis.

All APTA appointed groups will conduct their work with APTA's Commitment to Increasing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in mind and in the context of (1) APTA's Mission, Vision, Strategic Plan and House of Delegates and Board of Directors adopted positions and policies; and (2) the potential for their work to have implications related to physical therapist assistants, women, diversity, and risk management.

Qualifications for Appointees

PPAC seeks individuals who have experience in any of the following areas; payment policy and/or re-imbursement (within your practice setting or at the network, corporate, state, or federal level) , state or federal legislative policy/advocacy, health information technology, regulatory issues (Medicare/Medicaid, VA etc.), innovations and/or policy issues in physical therapy practice, education, or research.

Size of Appointed Group

One Board chair (APTA Vice President), 13 members, (one who is a member of the APTA Board of Directors as selected by the APTA President), and the APTA President as ex-officio (APTA bylaws: Article VI, Section 4, A).

View Committee and Appointed Group Rosters

Terms of Appointees

Committee members will serve three-year terms; no individual shall serve more than two consecutive terms.

Meetings

PPAC meets in person approximately one time per year and via monthly conference calls.

Additional Information

For additional information regarding this and other APTA volunteer opportunities, email appointedgrouppool@apta.org.