Petition for Direct Access in Texas
Texas has become the latest state to push for direct access for physical therapy, with Stambush Staffing, a medical staffing agency in Houston, urging both PT’s and patients to petition their state representatives for the cause.
Currently, patients in Texas must be referred to a PT by a doctor, but Stambush maintains that PT’s are “capable of diagnosing and treating a patient as well as knowing when a doctor is necessary.”
Besides showing disrespect to physical therapists’ training, the process is also time-consuming, delaying patients’ treatment and possibly worsening their conditions. Of the 17 states who have already enacted direct access, none have seen an increase in liability issues.
If you are either a PT or a patient in Texas, be sure to contact your representative about the issue. It can save you time, money and help patients get back on track faster.
And for those of you who don’t live in Texas, what has your experience with direct access been like? Does your state have it? Do you think more states should adopt the policy?
Author: Jasmine
5 Comments
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Comments
Jasmine, you’re an absolute champion! Thank you so much for posting this! Being a PT in Texas and having the majority of my patients come from word-of-mouth referrals rather than direct Physician referrals, I could write a quite a bit on this topic but will try to keep it short…
First, I wanted to add this link f0r any readers who want to help. It’s an online petition that takes less than minute to sign (and you don’t have to live int Texas). If you are reading this, please take a moment and sign it if you feel that patients should have direct access to Physical Therapy.
http://www.accessyourphysicaltherapist.com/
For House Bill 637 to go through and make Texas a Direct Access state, it first has to ‘have a hearing’ with the Public Health congressional committee. Then the chair of the committee will have to bring it to the floor for a vote among the legislators. Before it can even get a hearing, the hearing has to be requested.
Two day ago I was speaking with the staff of Representative Eiland, who is the author of the bill. According to them, a hearing has been requested, but no one seemed to know the current status of that request. Unfortunately the TX legislature is already a good ways through this session, so we’re running out of time. I’m waiting to hear back from his staff with more details of the situation. If I hear anything new, I’ll certainly post another comment here.
Thanks again Jasmine!
Jarod Carter
http://www.DrJarodCarter.com
Thanks so much for all the additional information, Jarod
Hey Guys,
Quick update: our Bill for Direct Access will finally get a hearing in the Public Health committee this Wed April 20th. If you haven’t already signed the petition in the link above, please do so asap! Jasmine, thanks again for helping to raise awareness with this post.
Jarod
http://www.DrJarodCarter.com