Medicare Home Health Accessibility Act would enable OT to be ordered as a solo home health service!  Occupational therapy (OT) has long been recognized as an important home health service under Medicare; however, it is the only skilled service that does not qualify a...

AOTA has been working alongside advocates across the country to help increase the number of occupational therapy practitioners providing mental and behavioral health services in our country. Currently there are two bills, one in the House and one in the Senate that would...

The ability of occupational therapy practitioners (OTPs) to provide remote services via telehealth was of critical importance during the COVID-19 pandemic. Temporary waivers enacted by Congress and implemented by CMS enabled OTPs to provide essential therapy services...

When Congress passed the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) in 1975, Congress pledged to fund 40% of the cost to educate students with disabilities. However, Congress has never come close to fulfilling this pledge. At most, Congress has funded 18% of the...

The Enabling More of the Physical and Occupational Workforce to Engage in Rehabilitation (EMPOWER) Act (H.R. 4878/S. 2459) would change the Medicare supervision requirement for occupational therapy assistants (OTAs) and physical therapist assistants (PTAs) in private...

Policy makers in Washington are focusing more and more on the importance of providing comprehensive care after the birth of a new child. Some legislation, like the Healthy Moms and Babies Act (H.R. 4605/ S. 948) includes occupational therapy practitioners among the...

AOTA has been working alongside advocates across the country to help increase the number of occupational therapy practitioners providing mental and behavioral health services in our country.Updated Monday, December 11th, 2023. The Occupational Therapy in Mental Health...

As part of end-of-year legislation in December of 2022, Congress created the Allied Health Workforce Diversity Program. This win came after nearly five years of advocacy efforts by the allied health professions led, in part, by occupational therapy advocates!  As with...