March 13, 2007

Yesterday SB 24 passed out of the House – Health and Human Services Committee by a vote of 9-2.  The bill was then assigned to House – Appropriations Committee.  We could be on the house floor for debate by the end of the week and on the governor’s desk by the end of the month.  A question the board of directors of the Colorado Athletic Trainers Association (CATA) would like to ask each and every member of the association is… “Are you doing your part?”.

Throughout this legislative process, this year and last, the board has tried to convey that legislation of athletic trainers will affect EVERYONE who carries the ATC credential.  REGARDLESS of the setting you work legislation will affect you.  Consequently we ask that everyone take an active role in passing a strong licensure bill to advance OUR profession. 

We have asked that members:

1.     Contact their state Representative and Senator asking him/her to support SB 24.

2.     Ask any physician or other medical professional that you work closely with to write letters or e-mails of support for SB 24 and submit them to their appropriate state Representative and Senator.

3.     Ask 10 “citizens” (family friends, coaches, administrators, players, athletes, etc) to write letters or e-mails of support for SB 24 and submit them to their appropriate state Representative and Senator.

4.     Donate $25 (at least) to the CATA Legislative Action Fund.

From about 35-40% of our membership we have received A+ effort.  We have had several legislators say to us that they have heard from their constituents asking for support of SB 24 and consequently they have voted and acted in support of SB 24.  Some of those legislators traditionally have been against state regulation of professions, yet they support SB 24 because they have been “sold” by their constituents. 

Yesterday in the house hearing SB 24 bill sponsor, Jim Riesberg read into the committee transcripts quotes from some of the letters we have received from physicians in support of our bill.  Pat Karns even went as far as arranging Dr. James McElhinney, to come and testify on behalf of athletic trainers in the Senate – Business Labor and Technology Committee hearing.   

To date we have had 101 athletic trainers donate a total of $3,825 to the Legislative Action Fund; a special thank you goes to Rick Hendricks and Eastern Plain Physical Therapy who donated $500.

If you are part of this group the board of directors would like to thank you for your efforts.

Yet, from 60-65% of our membership we have received C- or worse effort.   As board members we have heard several responses.  “ I am so busy”, “I can’t afford to donate”, “Licensure will not help me where I work”.  We have always tried to be positive and approach those discussions proactively.  The fact of the matter is… we are all busy; none of us makes enough money; and licensure will not make any job perfect.  But passing strong legislation will affect EVERYONE in Colorado and will advance OUR profession. 

If you are part of this group the board of directors would like to ask you to join our effort.  For “instructions” on how to participate please contact any board member or go to our website www.rmata.org/cata

Sincerely

 

CATA Board of Directors