Section and Component LiaisonsFederal Affairs Liaison
As FAL, she will be disseminating information from APTA lobbyists and grassroots organizers in D.C. to the OPTA Board of Directors, the Government Affairs Committee and OPTA members. Another part of this role is to facilitate conversations, foster relationships and generate site visits between selected key contacts throughout the state and their associated federal representatives here in Oregon to directly advance the profession. The 2020 year has already started with an unexpected turn: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) ruled that they are no longer funding the use of therapeutic activities on the same day as a new patient PT evaluation. Additionally, they are requiring the use of the ‘59 modifier’ for instances where either therapeutic exercise and/or manual therapy are billed on the same day as a PT evaluation, among other things. This ruling was issued without time for deliberation and without time for advocacy or involvement from the APTA. As the newly appointed FAL, Mackenzie encourages those who are affected by this situation this to compose letters and reach out to their congressional representatives and CMS directly; the OPTA website has a pre-fillable letter with directions that can be used to communicate with CMS. Stay tuned for more updates as the year progresses. Read the latest Federal Affairs Liaison Report hereOregon Board of Physical Therapy Liaison
I received my PT degree from University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) in 1989 and have practiced in a variety of settings (acute care, outpatient, inpatient rehab, home health) at taught for 2 years in the PT program at UNMC before relocating to Oregon in 2006 and joining OHSU, initially as an acute care manager and later as an outpatient manager, and currently serve as the Director of Rehabilitation. I completed a Master in Public Health in 2004 and transitional DPT in 2015. Much of my career has included leadership in some component, and I have been a member of the APTA since I was a student. I have enjoyed serving in the PR committee and chapter President roles in Nebraska and have had the opportunity to join Oregon’s HOD team for a number of years in the past. I am aware of the importance of a strong connection between our profession and the state board, and am looking forward to being a liaison to help continue this important linkage. Michael Rennick, PT, DPT Read the latest OBPT Liaison Report hereSports SectionSends updates for the Oregon Region to the APTA Sports Section Coordinator. Reports on sports related topics in Oregon legislation that affect physical therapists/practices. |
Mackenzie Van Loo received her DPT degree from Pacific University in 2017 and since has been aggressively pursuing specializations in orthopedics and pelvic health. She has maintained a lasting passion for advocacy but only recently experienced the inherent power of PT advocacy when she was awarded a scholarship through the Academy of Pelvic Health Physical Therapy (APHPT) in 2018. This scholarship provided her the ability to attend Federal Advocacy Forum (FAF), represent the APHPT and gain mentorship while engaging through the FAF in Washington, D.C. Immediately following her return from this forum, she avidly sought involvement in the OPTA Government Affairs Committee and Member Led Initiative Committee, and now is taking over for Chris Murphy as the OPTA’s Federal Affairs Liaison (FAL) just two years later.