I 111th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 1036 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES February 12, 2009 Ms. Herseth Sandlin (for herself, Mr. Hare, Mr. Michaud, Mr. Sestak, and Mr. Filner) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs A BILL To amend title 38, United States Code, to establish the position of Director of Physical Therapy Service within the Veterans Health Administration and to establish a fellowship program for physical therapists in the areas of geriatrics, amputee rehabilitation, polytrauma care, and rehabilitation research.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Veterans Physical Therapy Services Improvement Act of 2009.

2.

Finding

The Congress finds that chronic conditions of the aging veteran population and the complex impairments associated with returning veterans from Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and Operation Iraqi Freedom in Iraq have increased the need to recruit and retain physical therapists in the Veterans Health Administration.

3.

Creation of director of physical therapy service

Paragraph (6) of section 7306(a) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by inserting a Director of Physical Therapy Service, after a Director of Podiatric Service,.

4.

Qualifications for appointment of physical therapists

Section 7402(b) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by redesignating paragraphs (10) through (14) as paragraphs (11) through (15), respectively, and by inserting after paragraph (9) the following new paragraph: (10)

Physical therapist

To be eligible to be appointed to a physical therapist position, a person must— (A)(i)hold the degree of doctor of physical therapy or other post baccalaureate degree in physical therapy from an accredited college or university approved by the Secretary; or (ii)have completed a degree in physical therapy from an accredited college or university approved by the Secretary and be employed on the date of the enactment of this paragraph by the Administration as a physical therapist; and (B)be licensed to practice physical therapy in a State. .

5.

Creation of a fellowship program for physical therapists in the areas of geriatrics, amputee rehabilitation, polytrauma, and rehabilitation research

(a)

In general

Chapter 76 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new subchapter: VIII

Fellowships for physical therapists in geriatrics, amputee rehabilitation, polytrauma care, and rehabilitation research

7691.

Authority for program

(a)

In general

There is hereby established a program to be known as the Department of Veterans Affairs Geriatric, Amputee, Polytrauma, and Rehabilitation Research Fellowships Program. (b)

Purpose

The purpose of such program is to assist in the recruitment of qualified physical therapists for positions in the Veterans Health Administration specializing in the areas of geriatrics, amputee rehabilitation, polytrauma care, and rehabilitation research.

. (b)

Clerical amendment

The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter 76 is amended by adding at the end the following: Subchapter VIII—Fellowships for physical therapists in geriatrics, amputee rehabilitation, polytrauma care, and rehabilitation research Sec. 7691. Authority for program. .