Advocacy in Physical Therapy

Advocacy in the Physical Therapy Profession

• Marcia Spoto is a Professor Emerita at Nazareth College and an Adjunct Professor at the University of Pittsburgh.
• Spoto is a consultant for Spine Care Partners LLC and the Chair of the NYPTA Public Policy Committee.
• The objectives of the text are to explain how to advocate for change in the physical therapy profession, highlight the importance of advocacy as a professional responsibility, discuss current legislation impacting the profession, and explain APTA initiatives and organizations promoting advocacy and policy change.
• Spoto opened a private practice in Fairport, NY in 1983 and is dual licensed as a PT/DC.
• She was invited to participate in the PT committee of the Rochester Community Individual Practice Association (RCIPA).
• Spoto is a founding member of PT First Alliance in Upstate NY.
• She has served as the APTA NY Payment Chair and the Chair of the APTA NY Public Policy Committee.
• Spoto is also a member of the Practice Committee and Chair of the Payment & Value Workgroup for the AOPT.
• She is a member of the Payment Consortium for Excellus BC & BS and serves as a consultant for them.
• The text aims to explain what advocacy is and why it is important for the physical therapy profession.
• It also discusses the current federal and state legislation that impacts the profession and the resulting impact on patient care.
• The text highlights the initiatives and organizations within the APTA that promote advocacy and policy change.