Athletic Trainers Equal Access to Medicare Act

Floor Speech

Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to call attention to the important and essential role that athletic trainers play in providing quality health care across our nation. Our nation's health care system is complex and every day people with many different health needs are served by legions of caring, qualified, and professional athletic trainers.

Athletic trainers are health care professionals who hold at least a bachelor's degree in athletic training. Almost 70 percent of athletic trainers have a master's degree or PhD. Athletic trainers are licensed health care professionals who provide injury prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation to patients of all ages.

Athletic trainers work under the direction of physicians to provide care to patients. Historically, they worked with athletes in secondary schools, colleges, universities and professional sports. Today, about 50 percent work outside of these athletic settings. Many athletic trainers are employed by clinics, hospitals, physician offices, commercial workplaces, the United States Armed Forces, and performing arts companies. The focus of athletic trainers' care is to prevent injuries and support patients and clients in their rehabilitation efforts to regain function as quickly and safely as possible.

Athletic trainers pass a national certifying exam. In most of the 46 states where they are licensed or otherwise regulated, the national certification is required for licensure. Athletic trainers maintain this certification with required continuing education. They work under a medical scope of practice, and adhere to a national code of ethics.

Unfortunately, in 2005, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) implemented a policy to prevent physicians from employing anyone other than a physical or occupational therapist and speech language pathologist to provide physical medicine and rehabilitation services in a physician's office.

Due to all of these facts, I have proudly introduced the Athletic Trainers Equal Access to Medicare Act of 2011. This bill would make the following improvements:

Ensure coverage of and improve patient access to physical medicine and rehabilitation services under Medicare Part B;

Allow physicians to choose from a wider range of highly qualified health professionals to serve patients' needs; and

Restore the ability of athletic trainers to provide physical medicine and rehabilitation services incident to a physician's services.

I strongly support the vital role athletic trainers play in our health care system. I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing this important group of health professionals and co-sponsor the Athletic Trainers Equal Access to Medicare Act.

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