PPTA

Legislative Ambassador Network

(LAN)

Orientation Program

Objectives

• Gain a basic understanding of the role of the PPTA LAN:

• Gain a basic understanding of organizational and operational structure of:

• APTA

• PPTA

• Pennsylvania Government

How can I get involved as a PPTA Legislative Ambassador?

Agree, at a minimum to submit your

e-mail address to the Legislative

Committee.

With your name on the LAN E-List you ….

• Will receive current information about PPTA and APTA legislative and regulatory activities.

• Have the opportunity to easily communicate with your legislators via e-mail, regular mail or fax.

• Assist the PPTA by fostering a quick, efficient method of communication to you as a member.

Additional Legislative Ambassador Activities

• Direct meetings in local offices with legislator and or legislative aides

• Fund raising events: dinners, golf tournaments, wine tasting, etc.

• Community events

• Campaigning activities

Lobbying Teams

• “Hit” Teams• Groups of PPTA members, LAN members, PPTA leaders

that are willing to do direct lobbying in Harrisburg• House and Senate office buildings, hallways (excluded

from accessing legislators directly on the floors of the House and Senate chambers)

• Usually done during a critical phase of a bill or in preparation for introduction of a bill

• Meetings with other associations, organizations• Meetings with bureaucracy regarding regulatory issues

Quote From A Conservative Radio Talk Show Host . . . .

“Why are we all lazy when it comes to political issues”?

(Why won’t we call or write a Congressman?)

“Because our attitude is that this won’t change anything”

Why get involved in legislative issues?

Legislation affects you, your patients and your practice

Change does not occur without input Those who do not speak are not heard Speaking up is easier than you think Your voice CAN make a difference!

Successful PPTA legislative and regulatory activities in the past, include:

• PT Practice Act 1975• Sunset Legislation 1985• PTA Regulations• Peer review regulations, worker’s compensation,

and motor vehicle insurance, 1990’s• Chiropractic lawsuit (generic use of the term

“Physical Therapy”)• Direct Access 2002

Current PPTA Activities, Include:

• Massage Therapy Licensure – PPTA is currently opposed.

• Physical Medicine issue/Highmark – PPTA complaint filed with Pennsylvania Insurance Commission.

• Practice Act Task Force.

PPTA Board of Directors Goal for the LAN

• Actual coverage averages 60%• Why shouldn’t 100% coverage be not just a goal, but a

reality?

Board of Director’s Expect

• 2 contacts (written or direct contact) per year from each Ambassador to their legislator

• 80% coverage of all Pennsylvania House and Senate members

The ABC’s of Lobbying Be professional Be prepared and concise

• send information before the meeting• “talking points”

Be courteous -> avoid confrontation Leave information Always remember to say…”thank you”!

How do I get current information? Read local paper / watch the news Contact District Legislative Committee PPTA Legislative Update E-mail list Use the WEB:

• APTA / PPTA / District web sites• Pennsylvania House of Representatives

and Senate web sites Contact your local legislator

How can I get Involved?

Discuss the issues with your colleaguesAt work, in-services, District meetings, etc.

Contact your local legislatorPhone calls, letters, e-mail (communication

should be personalized letters or e-mails)

Legislative Ambassador Network (LAN)Legislative Committee Members

Why should you make a PAC donation?

Strengthen the influence of PT’s and PTA’s over pertinent legislation

Enable the PPTA to protect our professional interests

Help advocate for patient’s rights

State Lobbyists:Top 20 by quarter

PPTA Membership, September 2005

PT Members 2735

PTA Members 306

Total 3041

If every member gave $25/year to the PAC, this would yield $76,025!!

Annual Contributions to the PPTA PAC

Have averaged $30,000

Note:2005 contributions as of September 30th only total $19,000!!!

What is the difference

between the PAC and the

Legislative Issues Fund?

PAC Funds are . .

Directed to fundraising

activities for legislators

Legislative Issues Funds are . . .

Directed to PPTA lobbying and legal fees

APTA

Organizational structure

Organizational Structure

SECT IONS

PPT A

CHAPT ERS(52)

ASSEM BLIES

APT A

W ORLDCONFEDERAT ION

APTA Key Contact Responsibilities

Establish and maintain contact with

member of Congress and key staff Provide information on key physical

therapy issues Establish a network of physical therapists

that live in State/Congressional District

to call or write letters

Website Resources

PPTA

http://www.ppta.org/

APTA State Legislative Advocacy Center

www.apta.org/advocacy

PA General Assembly

www.legis.pa.us

www.ppta.org

Pennsylvania

Physical Therapy

Association

PPTA

Organizational

structure

President

V ice President

President E lect

Secretary

T reasurer

Chief Delegate

Officers(elected statew ide)

Northw est

Southw est

W est Central

North Central

South Central

North East

South East

District Directors(elected by district)

Executive Com m itteeOfficers plus one m em ber

at large

Board of Directors

M em bership

TaskForces

Legislative Am bassadorNetw ork

Legislative Com m ittee

Assem bly Groups Com m ittees Districts Special Interest Groups

Board of Directors Executive DirectorReim bursem ent Spec.

Legal Counsel

Publications Lobby Team s Legislative Am bassadorNetw ork

Education Research

Legislative Com m ittee

PPTA Board of DirectorsExecutive Com m ittee

Duties of Legislative Committee

Maintain the LAN

Monitor and act on state and national legislation and rules and regulations as needed

Educate membership on political process,

legislation and regulations

In Pennsylvania

203 House Districts

50 Senate Districts

US Congress2 Senate Districts per State

19 Congressional Districts

Executive Branch

Legislative Branch

Judicial Branch

Initiates legislative projects

Signs legislation into law

&

enforces law

Passes LawsTests

Constitutionality

GovernorLegislative agenda is communicated to the House and Senate

House Senate

A Bill Can . . . Be introduced in the House, then proceed to the Senate

Be introduced in the Senate, then proceed to the House

Be introduced in both the House and Senate simultaneously

Senate

Professional Licensure

House

Appropriations .

Senate Floor Vote

Professional Licensure

Appropriations .

House Floor Vote

Governor’s Desk

Senate/House Reconciliation

Bill Reading

• Prime sponsor is listed first, co-sponsors follow

• Must have most current version, printers number

• Edits, amendments are underlined; deleted language is crossed out

Executive Branch

Governor

Department of State

Bureau of Professional & Occupational Affairs

State Board of Physical Therapy

State Board of PT Mission

Promulgates Rules and RegulationsEvaluate qualifications of applicants for

licensureIssues, renews, suspends, revokes

licensesEvaluates conduct of individuals in

relation to the law

Executive

Branch

Legislative

BranchJudicial

Branch

Governor

Dept of State

House

Professional

Licensure

Committee

Labor Relations

Committee

Senate

Consumer

Protection &

Professional

Licensure

Committee

Labor & Industry

Commission

PA

Supreme

Court

Superior

Court

Proposed Rulemaking StageProposed Rulemaking Stage

Agency submits regulation

LRB Standing Committees IRRC

Published in PA

Bulletin for public

comment

Submit comments

within 20 days of

close of public

comment period

Submit comments

within 30 days of

close of public

comment period

Public submits comments Agency reviews comments

Final Form StageFinal Form Stage

Agency submits final regulation

IRRC Public Commentators Standing Committees

30 days to approve

or disapprove20 days to approve

or disapprove

Approve regulation

Attorney General review

Published in PA Bulletin

IRRC Review of Proposed Regulation

• Gain understanding of regulation

• Contact affected parties

• Contact standing committees

• Discuss regulation with agency staff

Regulatory Review Criteria

• Whether agency has statutory authority to implement regulation

• Whether regulation is consistent with the legislative intent• Economic and fiscal impact on the public and private

sector• Protection of the public health, safety, and welfare• Clarity, feasibility and reasonableness of the regulation• Whether the regulation is policy decision requiring

legislative review• Approval or disapproval of the regulation by a standing

committee