http://www.gonysata2.org

 

Athletic Trainers' Equal Access to Medicare Act (ATEAM)

The 2009 NATA Hit the Hill Day in Washington DC was well attended by the NYS Athletic Trainers’ Association.

While on Capitol Hill, we met with Congressmen and Senators from New York state. Our goal was to encourage them to support and sponsor the Athletic Trainers’ Equal Access to Medicare Act (ATEAM).

New York was well represented. The following members attended:

  • Christopher Hobler, ATC
  • Kent Scriber, ATC
  • Christopher O’Brien, ATC
  • Jennie Pettrone, ATC
  • Elaine Winslow-Redmond, ATC
  • Tracye Rawls-Martin, ATC
  • Mark Gildard, ATC
  • Kristy Hart, ATC
  • Sally Perkins, ATC

We also had the following student athletic trainers as part of i-LEAD attend:

  • Jenny Keough, Ithaca College
  • Heather Pothier, Long Island University
  • Erica Grenier, Marist College

Thank you all for your participation. Hopefully, our dedicated efforts will result in some positive changes for our profession.

On 2/24/09, we already received notice of a Legislative Action Alert from the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) to their membership. The APTA is urging their members to contact their House Representative to oppose our legislation.

NYSATA members need to contact their House Representatives in support of our legislation and get this legislation passed.

Following the 2009 NATA Hit the Hill Day, it was highly recommended by NATA that as many certified athletic trainers as possible notify their legislators to sponsor the Athletic Trainers’ Equal Access to Medicare Act of 2009 (HR 1137).

The Athletic Trainer Equal Access to Medicare Act of 2009 (HR 1137) was introduced by Congressman Ed Towns (NY) on February 23, 2009.

On February 24, 2009, the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) and NY Physical Therapy Association sent out a Legislative Action Alert to their members urging them to contact their House Representative to oppose our legislation.

Senator Charles Schumer (NY) is a member of the Senate Finance Committee, which has exclusive responsibility for considering and reporting legislation making changes in Medicare. While in Washington DC, we met with Meghan Taira, who is Senator Schumer’s Legislative Assistant. We also met with Kevin Fink, who is Senator Kirsten Gillibrand’s Legislative Assistant. Our goal was to get Senator Schumer and/or Senator Gillibrand to sponsor the senate version of the Athletic Trainer Equal Access to Medicare Act of 2009 (HR 1137).

We recommend that you send a letter to your Congressman and to your Senators. Sample letters can be found below. You can email the letter directly to their legislative assistants, or copy/paste and send it on your letterhead via regular mail to the Senator’s office.

Please take the time to send a letter to show your support for the Athletic Trainer Equal Access to Medicare Act of 2009 (HR 1137). This bill is very important for the athletic training profession and our future.

Read the APTA response to the filing of the Athletic Trainers' Equal Access to Medicare Act.

Letter to Senator Schumer
Letter to Meghan Taira
Letter to Senator Gillibrand
Letter to Kevin Fink
Letter to Congressman Massa