Research Paper on:
Issues of Funding and PT

Unformatted Sample Text from the Research Paper:
"Heres a good therapist that you need to go to" (2003, p.PG). He would say that because he knows that the insurance would cover physical therapy (2003). Yet, what if  the insurance does not cover physical therapy? That is the dilemma that many who rely on Medicare and Medicaid are faced with. They must depend on the government and legislation  in order to receive medical benefits. Legislation regarding physical therapy is important to the therapist. After all, if he or she cannot get paid through either insurance or the  government, services will often not be requested. Physicians may not make the referral or the patient will not go because he or she cannot afford it. Although physical therapy is  important, it is not life threatening and people who live on budgets often only seek care in emergent situations. This is unfortunate. An example of legislation is regarding law recently  introduced in Missouri that would not only give physical therapists direct access, but would also allow them to perform manipulation and make it unlawful for anyone other than a therapist  to provide physical therapy services (Jordan, 2003). Both Arizona and Indiana have defeated similar legislation (2003). This type of legislation helps to protect the profession as well as people  who might be fooled by unscrupulous individuals. Therapists who are not properly trained can also do harm. There are several ways in which physical therapists can advocate  for their patients and clients as a collective group. By reviewing pending legislation, therapists can write to their legislators and argue in support, or in opposition, of a law  . Legislation regarding physical therapy is relevant. A survey of Medicaid officials in all 50 states reported the implementation or the planning of cost containment plans (Tobler &