8-28-12
Hundreds of Occupational Therapy Practitioners to Offer Health Care Solutions on Capitol Hill
The American Occupational Therapy Association’s annual Hill Day is Sept. 24, 2012
Washington, D.C. — Hundreds of occupational therapy clinicians, educators, and students from across the U.S. will meet with elected officials on Capitol Hill on Sept. 24, to discuss key legislative issues affecting the profession and the state of healthcare.
Organized by the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), Hill Day is an opportunity for health care professionals to bring their concerns straight to their state’s lawmakers, offer solutions, ask questions, and listen to guest speakers on the topics that affect their work. More than 400 occupational therapy practitioners and students from across the U.S. visited Capitol Hill last year to make their voices heard.
“Capitol Hill day is the highlight of AOTA’s ongoing grassroots efforts to empower our members and educate Congress,” said Tim Nanof, AOTA’s Director of Federal Affairs. “It is fun, exciting, and critically important to supporting AOTA’s federal legislative agenda.”
Nationwide, more than 140,000 occupational therapy practitioners help people across the lifespan participate in the things they want and need to do through the therapeutic use of everyday activities (occupations). Legislation supporting access to occupational therapy can reduce overall health care costs by facilitating independence among patients.
Where: Capitol Visitor Center Congressional Auditorium and Atrium, connected to the Capitol Building at First and East Capitol St., Washington, D.C.
When: 8 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., Monday, Sept. 24, 2012 (Briefing begins at 8:30 a.m. and will be followed by Congressional office visits)
Get Connected: For Hill Day updates, follow @AOTAEvents on Twitter or visit AOTA’s Legislative Action Center.
To learn more: E-mail hillday@aota.org or visit http://www.aota.org/backpack. To interview Tim Nanof or an occupational therapy practitioner about AOTA’s legislative efforts, contact AOTA Media Relations Manager Katie Riley at 301-652-6611, ext. 2963, or kriley@aota.org.
Founded in 1917, the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) represents the professional interests and concerns of more than 140,000 occupational therapists, assistants, and students nationwide. The Association educates the public and advances the profession of occupational therapy by providing resources, setting standards including accreditations, and serving as an advocate to improve health care. Based in Bethesda, Md., AOTA’s major programs and activities are directed toward promoting the professional development of its members and assuring consumer access to quality services so patients can maximize their individual potential. For more information, go to www.aota.org.
