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2002 ATRA Public Policy Platform Statements

During the ATRA Mid-Year Professional Issues Forum, March 23-26, 2002, the ATRA Congress convened to propose the 2002 Public Policy Platform statements. The statements were presented below to the membership and approved by the ATRA Board of Directors on April 19, 2002. For additional information, contact the Public Policy Team Co-Leaders Diane Baumann at dianebaumann@email.msn.com or Sharon Nichols shashanichols@aol.com

1. To promote to the rehabilitation industry the affirmation of the appropriate utilization of recreational therapy treatment minutes in satisfying the intensity of screening criteria (3-hour rule) within inpatient comprehensive rehabilitation.

2. To achieve authorization of the inclusion of recreational therapy as a provider of Medicare outpatient service when delivered as active treatment by a nationally certified recreational therapist.

3. To achieve the inclusion of recreational therapy treatment minutes along with the other rehabilitation therapies in the Minimum Data Set (MDS) 2.0 for skilled nursing facilities.

4. To develop and promote language for utilization by regulatory agencies that provides clear distinctions between recreational therapy and activity services.

5. To support the development of assisted living regulations that specify minimum levels of assisted living care standards and staffing qualifications that include the utilization and recognition of recreational therapy.

6. To support the development and/or revision of adult day care standards that specify models of care and staffing qualifications that include the utilization and recognition of recreational therapy.

7. To affirm recreational therapy's role within Medicare's mental health partial hospitalization incremental billing code and coverage criteria.

8. To secure revisions in the MDS 2.0 to include transfer of section t, RT data to section p (rehabilitation services), and use of the "Recreational Therapy" terminology and the use of the ATRA/JCAHO definition for a Qualified Recreational Therapy Assistant.

9. To identify, monitor, and promote adequate federal funding in higher education settings for the preparation of TR professionals.

10. To identify, monitor, and promote federal funding for efficacy research and outcome-based results in recreational therapy.

11. To continue to work for the passage of a Patient Bill of Rights that includes provisions for:
Ø Access to specialty care
Ø Point of service option
Ø and a continuity of care provision

12. To support changing the Medicare "homebound" restrictions for those individuals who have life long skilled care needs.

13.. To support the passage of mental health insurance parity.

14. To support the passage of IDEA reauthorization with a greater identification of the role of recreational therapy as a related service.

15.. To revise/reform the qualified provider language for staff performing skilled nursing functions.

16. To advocate for the recognition of recreational therapy in self directed care legislation.

17. To advocate for and support the passage of the American Hospital Preservation Act (HR 1556/S 839).

18. To advocate for and support the passage of the Medicaid Safety Net Hospital Continued Preservation Act (HR 854/S 572).

19. To advocate for and support the passage of the Area Wage and Standardized Rate bill (HR 1609/S 885).

20. To advocate for and support the passage of the Medicaid Upper Payment Limit Moratorium bill (HR 3360/S 1745).

21. To advocate for and support the passage of the Stop Stroke Act (HR 3431/S 1274).

22. To affirm and advocate for recreational therapy's role within Healthy People 2010 programs and initiatives.

23. To support the passage of the Family Opportunity Act.

24. To actively support funding in Department of Education Rehabilitation Services Administration for demonstration projects for recreation programs for individuals with disabilities.