[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 162 (Wednesday, November 28, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2150]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       MEDICARE PATIENT ACCESS TO PHYSICAL THERAPISTS ACT OF 2001

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. EARL POMEROY

                            of north dakota

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 28, 2001

  Mr. POMEROY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with my friend and colleague 
from Illinois to introduce a bill that will provide Medicare 
beneficiaries with direct access to qualified physical therapists. I 
join Mr. Crane today in introducing the ``Medicare Patient Access to 
Physical Therapists Act of 2001,'' a bill that is patient-focused, 
patient-friendly, and puts the patient first. This legislation will 
enhance access to quality health care services for Medicare 
beneficiaries under Part B and expand choices for Medicare 
beneficiaries.
  The time is right for this legislation, Mr. Speaker. Thirty-four 
states currently allow direct access to physical therapists without a 
referral requirement. The citizens of my own State of North Dakota have 
been able to directly access their physical therapists since 1989 
without limitation. Under this provision of State law, my constitutes 
have enjoyed nearly unfettered access to the expertise of licensed 
physical therapists without the delay or added cost of a physician 
referral. This is especially important to rural areas of this country 
where we are frequently underserved by health care professionals. 
Physical therapists in North Dakota are able to treat many impairments, 
functional limitations, disabilities, and changes in health status for 
our residents, and as such, they contribute to making our population 
more productive and healthy.
  Access to physical therapist services without a referral requirement 
already has been successful around the country. Studies conducted by 
Johns Hopkins and Georgetown University researchers demonstrate that 
utilization of services was actually lower in episodes of care 
initiated without referral than episodes initiated with a physician 
referral. My constituents--who incidentally make up the largest 
population of seniors per capita--are entitled to the same access under 
Medicare as the rest of the citizens in North Dakota and across the 
country. North Dakotans and all Medicare beneficiaries should have 
better access to qualified health care providers, and physical 
therapists can be instrumental in this role.
  Finally, I think it is important to recognize that this bill will 
raise the standard, domestically and internationally in effect, for 
qualified physical therapists. The new standard endorsed by the 
American Physical Therapy Association requires a master's or doctoral 
degree, which I believe will serve to improve patient care across the 
country.
  Through better access to highly qualified health care professionals, 
we ensure enhanced care and services for all Americans. Mr. Speaker, I 
ask for my colleagues' consideration and support for this important 
legislation to provide direct access to physical therapists under 
Medicare.

                          ____________________