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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. W. Curtis Thomas |
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Thomas bill passes unanimously in the House
HARRISBURG, March 13 – State Rep. W. Curtis Thomas, D-Phila., said legislation he authored passed the House this week 199-0.
The legislation (H.B. 1199) would amend the Physical Therapy Practice Act to expand the scope of practice for physical therapy assistants in Pennsylvania.
"I'm pleased that my colleagues in the House supported this measure," Thomas said. "Expanding the scope of practice for physical therapy assistants means that a greater level of care will be available to residents at facilities across Pennsylvania."
Currently, Pennsylvania law allows physical therapy assistants to provide patient-related services only at the direction of, and under the direct supervision of, a licensed physical therapist.
Thomas' bill would require physical therapy assistants to become certified in Pennsylvania, but would allow them to provide some services in certain environments -- such as schools, outpatient clinics and home health-care settings -- without the direct supervision of a licensed physical therapist.
Thomas said the change would give more people, such as senior citizens who rely on physical therapy for pain management, access to physical therapy services. Because of a shortage of licensed physical therapists in Pennsylvania, many nursing homes, private practice physicians and home health-care providers are unable to offer physical therapy services as part of their patient care regimen.
Thomas has introduced similar legislation in previous sessions and has hosted public hearings on the issue to gain information from experts.
The bill now goes to the Senate for consideration.
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