Etheridge Receives National Award from Physical Therapists

RALEIGH - U.S. Rep. Bob Etheridge (D-Lillington) has received the American Physical Therapy Association's (APTA) 2004 Public Service Award for his contributions to advancing health care and physical therapy.

"I am proud to receive this award from the nation's physical therapists," Etheridge said. "Physical therapists are a vital component of our health care system working in homes, hospitals, clinics, and many other settings to make sure that families and patients get quality care as well as comfort, encouragement, and support. America has the best hospitals, the most talented health care professionals and the most sophisticated technology in the world. We must make sure everyone can afford to use them."

With Etheridge's support, the physical therapy profession has made great strides in advancing federal legislation to provide Medicare beneficiaries with direct access to physical therapists. The Medicare Patient Access to Physical Therapy Act (HR 792), sponsored by Etheridge, has received the bipartisan support of more than 185 members of the U.S. House of Representatives. During last year's House debate on H.R. 1, the Medicare Prescription Drug and Modernization Act, Etheridge's leadership helped to secure language authorizing a Government Accountability Office (GAO) study on the cost-effectiveness of direct access. That provision eventually became a study to be conducted by the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC).

"Congressman Etheridge has been a tremendous source of support for physical therapy legislation," APTA President Ben F Massey, Jr., PT, MA, said. "He has supported physical therapists and direct access for nearly two decades at the state and federal level. We're proud to work with him on our issues and greatly appreciate his efforts in spreading our message. This award is in recognition of all that he has done for our profession and how much we appreciate it."

The American Physical Therapy Association (www.apta.org) is a national professional organization representing more than 66,000 members. Its goal is to foster advancements in physical therapy practice, research and education.