Joint Government Affairs Committee Charter

Purpose:
The purpose of this Joint Government Affairs Committee is to merge the strengths and responsibilities of both APTA Home Health and APTA Geriatrics committees into one cohesive and impactful advocacy body. The committee will work collaboratively to address federal policy and legislative issues related to the physical therapy needs of aging adults and home health patients. By leveraging the resources, expertise, and networks of both groups, the Joint Committee will advocate for improved payment policies, enhanced access to physical therapy services, and advance member engagement and grassroots advocacy efforts for the future of physical therapy services for older adults.

Committee Structure:
The Joint Government Affairs Committee will consist of 9 members, with the following roles:

  • 2 Committee Chairs: One Chair will serve a term of 3 years and be succeeded by the other Chair, who will be groomed for the role during their first year. This succession model ensures continuity and effective leadership. The most experienced chair will serve as Federal Affairs Liaison (FAL), acting as the link between the Joint Committee and APTA’s Government Affairs Department on federal issues.
  • 7 Committee Members: Members will serve 3-year terms. Each year, one new member will be appointed by the President of each Academy, with the committee having a balance of experience and fresh perspectives.
  • Committee Term: The term of each committee member is 3 years, with the first cohort of members having staggered start dates to ensure ongoing leadership continuity.

Budget:
A budget of $3000 will be allocated annually to cover expenses related to committee operations, particularly for the chairs and successor attending the APTA Federal Advocacy Forum each year. The funds will cover travel, accommodation, and registration costs for these representatives to participate in the forum, ensuring that the committee maintains visibility and active engagement in APTA’s federal advocacy efforts.

Committee Functions and Responsibilities:

  1. Discovery & Advocacy:
    • Identify, monitor, and discuss federal issues impacting APTA Home Health and APTA Geriatrics members.
    • Establish priority areas for legislative action and advocacy efforts.
    • Advocate for policies that improve access to physical therapy for aging adults and home health patients, including reimbursement policies.
  2. Education & Communication:
    • Educate and inform members about key legislative and policy issues via written articles, webinars, and conference presentations.
    • Maintain communication channels to keep members up to date on federal advocacy activities and opportunities to participate in grassroots efforts.
  3. Collaboration & Recruitment:
    • Foster cross-collaboration between APTA Home Health and APTA Geriatrics members to ensure unified advocacy strategies.
    • Actively recruit new members to participate in the committee, ensuring diverse perspectives and expertise are included.
    • Build and strengthen relationships with key policy-makers, legislators, and stakeholders in federal agencies.
  4. Mentorship & Succession Planning:
    • Ensure that one of the committee chairs is actively mentoring a successor, preparing them for leadership.
    • Develop leadership pipelines by empowering emerging leaders in federal advocacy within both APTA Home Health and APTA Geriatrics.

Strategic Goals:

  • APTA Home Health Focus:
    • Identify and address issues impacting home health services, with an emphasis on reimbursement and regulatory challenges.
    • Ensure that home health physical therapy providers have the tools and resources they need to advocate effectively at the federal level.
    • Build grassroots networks that can influence policy decisions, particularly among members whose representatives sit on key Senate and House committees.
  • APTA Geriatrics Focus:
    • Advocate for improved payment policy and enhanced access to physical therapy services for aging adults, ensuring that geriatrics-related physical therapy issues are prioritized in federal legislation.
    • Amplify the voices of geriatrics physical therapists by driving a coordinated grassroots movement that supports improved health outcomes for older adults.

Committee Operations:

  • Meetings:
    The committee will meet monthly to address urgent issues or provide updates on legislative matters. Meetings will take place virtually to ensure ongoing engagement.
  • Reports & Accountability:
    The committee will submit an annual report to the APTA Board of Directors, summarizing its key activities, advocacy efforts, and achievements over the year.
  • Collaboration with APTA Government Affairs:
    The committee will maintain an active relationship with APTA’s Government Affairs staff to coordinate on federal advocacy initiatives and stay informed on relevant policy developments.

Conclusion:
The formation of the Joint Government Affairs Committee between APTA Home Health and APTA Geriatrics will create a powerful, unified voice for physical therapy advocacy at the federal level. By combining the best elements of both committees’ strategies, we will be better equipped to tackle the challenges and opportunities facing our members, particularly as they relate to federal legislation affecting aging adults and home health. This proposal ensures a well-structured, collaborative, and forward-thinking approach to advocacy that will serve the profession for years to come.