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HB
1127 Continues On... (3/15/06 E-Blast)
Today was a great
day for the CATA…
House Bill 1127 passed today OUT of the Senate – Business, Labor and Technology
committee by a vote of 6-1.
The past 36 hours have been like a roller coaster for myself and the BOD. One
minute we are up because of good news and a good report; then the next we are
down because of a bad report.
The results of today’s committee decision has us soaring. We are happy obviously
because we are that much closer to attaining our goal of licensure for athletic
trainers in the state. But equally important we have found a way to reach a
compromise with the physical therapy association.
The fact that we compromised and worked VERY HARD to find some middle ground is
what led to us leaving the committee 6-1. Our senate sponsor Suzanne Williams
made it VERY CLEAR to us that the ONLY way we will move forward is if we worked
it out.
What was the compromise?
We defined what an athletic trainer is based on our educational competencies.
We adjusted the definition of “athlete” to read: an individual who participates
in games, sports, recreation or exercise in association with an educational
institution, and organized community sports program or event, or a professional,
amateur, or recreational organization or sports club.
We agreed to allow the athletic trainer provide athletic training services in a
clinical setting to a person who is not an athlete, as defined above, if the
athletic trainer is under the responsible direction of a licensed physician,
dentist or other licensed healthcare provider.
What did we get?
1. The ability to define ourselves based on our education, no more, no less.
2. The ability to perform tasks that we have been educated to do, no more, no
less.
3. The ability to protect the public from those that do not possess our unique
skills and education. OR those that DO possess our unique skills and education
but do wrong.
4. The ability to practice in a clinical setting.
5. An agreement by the physical therapy association that they will NOT oppose
our bill as it progresses forward.
Today was not about one side winning and one side losing. Today was about TWO
professions coming together and reaching a compromise. I thank the PT group for
working with us. In addition to the PT group I would like to thank the
legislative panel team who assembled today and performed very well under
difficult situations.
Gregg McCall, in-coming president of the PT group, said to me that the
definition of compromise is that neither side goes home happy. While we are not
necessarily happy, we are certain that what we left committee with today is a
large step forward for athletic trainers in the state, and we are taking that
step forward WITH the cooperation of the physical therapy association.
BOTH sides gave a LOT of ground, and BOTH sides gave EQUAL ground.
What is next?
The senate appropriations committee. If we pass that, then…
The senate floor.
We need to keep our momentum going and continue to very passionately reach out
to our senators.
If you have any questions, comments, concerns, or would more
information/instructions on how to reach out to your senator please feel free to
contact either myself, any BOD member or Jennifer Dougherty
jdougherty-atc@mindspring.com (303) 908-6303.
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