AOTA Establishes Panel on Health Reform
A new Ad Hoc Committee on Health Care Reform Implementation has been established by AOTA President Florence Clark, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA, to help identify strategic targets of opportunity for the occupational therapy profession as reform legislation approved by Congress is implemented. The panel will be chaired by Dr. Brent Braveman, former speaker of the AOTA Representative Assembly, and will tap the expertise of a broad range of knowledgeable members of the profession to help guide the Association’s agenda.
The Accountable Care Act, the health care reform law passed earlier this year, presents many opportunities and challenges to occupational therapy. Along with expanding health insurance coverage, the law contemplates a redesigned health care system with a focus on prevention, coordination, and evidence-based practice. “I have established this new Committee to help AOTA understand and identify key targets of opportunity as reform is being implemented so that we position our profession to thrive in this new environment,” said AOTA President Clark. “I have asked Brent to identify experts in health care policy and systems within our profession to provide guidance to our advocacy and related activities.” The Committee will reach out to use expertise within the Association’s membership in critical areas such as prevention, wellness, chronic care management, and telehealth, and look at the implications of new payment systems and emerging health reform concepts such as medical home and accountable care organizations.
In announcing the new Committee, Clark said, “I am excited about the opportunities health care reform provides our profession, and I look forward to the work this group will be doing to assist the Association in responding to the new health care dynamic.”
Questions about the new ad hoc committee can be directed to AOTA’s Federal Affairs Department at FAD@aota.org.
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AOTA's Health Care Reform Spotlight
