On Thursday, August 27th, U.S. Representative Mike Lawler—representing New York’s 17th District—joined the Alliance for Physical Therapy Quality and Innovation (APTQI) to tour Spear Physical Therapy in Tarrytown, to learn more about the essential services physical and occupational therapists provide to the patients who depend on their care. During the facility visit, leaders at Spear Physical Therapy showcased the valuable services they offer to produce positive health outcomes for patients, as well as the role therapy has in preventing adverse events, such as falls, and reducing healthcare costs.
Physical therapy offers a cost-effective solution to the nationwide epidemic of senior falls – the number one cause of injury-related deaths for older Americans. According to the CDC, upwards of 30 million elderly Americans fall every year—over 760,000 of which are in New York—requiring care which costs roughly $50 billion annually. Millions of older Americans require physical therapy services every year for acute, chronic, or rehabilitative services. Physical therapy is undeniably an essential part of our nation’s healthcare system and is especially important for New York’s aging population with almost 23,000 practicing physical therapists across the state.
Legislation has been introduced that would allow more older Americans to access the essential fall prevention services provided by physical and occupational therapists. The bipartisan, bicameral Stopping Addiction and Falls for the Elderly (SAFE) Act (S. 2612/H.R. 1171) would ensure the inclusion of no-cost falls risk assessments in Medicare beneficiaries’ annual wellness visits. During the tour, Representative Lawler had the opportunity to learn more about this legislation directly from the patients and providers it impacts, and we hope he will sign on as a cosponsor of this important bill.
“Thank you to Spear Physical Therapy for welcoming me to their Tarrytown clinic and allowing me to see firsthand the important work they’re doing to help patients recover and stay active. Physical therapy plays a critical role in preventative care, particularly for older Americans. I appreciate the work of APTQI and providers across NY-17 who are helping improve patient outcomes and deliver quality care in our communities. I look forward to continuing to work with our local healthcare providers to support patients, providers, and better health outcomes across the Hudson Valley,” said Congressman Mike Lawler.
As experts in the prevention and treatment of falls, physical and occupational therapists play a critical role in protecting our nation’s seniors from harmful falls. APTQI is calling on lawmakers to act and protect older Americans across the country by supporting the SAFE Act and other measures that expand access to these life-saving services.
