“We need you…you are LOTA”

1. “We need you…you are LOTA” “If not you, then who? If not now, then when?”

2. LOTA Mission Statement • The mission of LOTA is to promote excellence in education, legislative advocacy, public awareness and resources to advance an evidence based occupational therapy profession.

3. LOTA Vision Statement • LOTA advances excellence in the occupational therapy profession to meet the needs of the society it serves in the state of Louisiana.

4. Why Should You Join LOTA?? • LOTA is the only entity in Louisiana that pays for a lobbyist to protect your practice and reimbursement in Louisiana.

5. LOTA Lobbyist Kevin Hayes

6. Ways LOTA benefits from our lobbyist • Regularly reviews House & Senate Bills and other legal documents that could impact our practice in the state of Louisiana • Contacts the authors of the bills to advocate for changes and/or modifications so that our practice is protected

7. Ways LOTA benefits from our lobbyist • Lobby on behalf of occupational therapy practitioners in the state of Louisiana: Interacts with politicians on a regular basis to maintain rapport and promote awareness for occupational therapy • Attend meetings representing the interest of occupational therapy in our state • Provides legislative updates to LOTA for email blast and website publication

8. Expense of a Lobbyist • LOTA Lobbyist contract: $15,000 annually • Other comparable healthcare professional’s lobbyists cost on average $20,000 - $30,000 annually

9. Victories made possible by our lobbyist

10. Here are just a few things… • 2007 - Senate Bill (SB) 110 was relative to the practice act governing certified athletic trainers ( legislature was attempting to change the athletic trainer’s act by seeking to redefine from treating an “athlete” to treat a broader spectrum of clients.) LOTA voiced opposition to the bill via our lobbyist. Lobbyist attended numerous meetings • Result: this part of the bill died on the floor • 2001 - House Bill (HB) 152, added “occupational therapists” to certain definitions of “health care provider.”

11. Insurance Coverage for Prosthetics… • 2008 - HB 318, Requires health insurance coverage of prosthetic devices and prosthetic services • 2008 - HB 516, Provides relative to coverage of rehabilitative services, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech and language pathology therapy (this provides OT as “standard benefits” in health insurance policies)

12. OT can receive orders from Nurse Practitioners… • 2001 - HB 919, Allows occupational therapists to receive orders from advance practice registered nurses • 2003 - SB, 866, Provides for increased sources of referral for occupational therapists and for access without referral for limited services relative to the State Board of Medical Examiners • 2010 - HB 264, Clarified that OT’s are covered under the Medical Malpractice Act

13. Worker’s Comp Advisory Board… • 2003 - SCR 112, Creates and provides for the Workers’ Compensation Advisory Board (OT originally in bill, then when went to House floor all providers were removed….something that is monitored) • 2005 - HB 333, Authorizes physician assistants to refer patients to occupational therapists (Lobbyist worked with Rep. Shepherd to file this bill on behalf of LOTA)

14. OT’s can make splints… • 2008 - HB 799, LOTA’s Lobbyist was successful in amending the bill to make it clear that the proposed law shall not prohibit a licensed OT from practicing within the scope of practice in regards to orthotic devices (splints)

15. Early Steps… • 2012 - HB 1, Successful in restoring a $1.3 million cut to the Community Based Program for the Early Steps Program • 2013 – HB 375, Authorizes a fee schedule known as a cost participation for services of the Early Steps Childhood disability Intervention Program. The funding for the program has been difficult to maintain and HB 375 was seen as an answer to save the program

16. Additional benefits of LOTA Membership

17. Education • Opportunity to earn up to 4 FREE CEU’s by participating in quarterly district meetings • Discounts on continuing education opportunities • CEU opportunities across the state • Multi-tracked Annual Spring Conference • Online CEUs Care2Learn available at www.LOTA.org

18. Public Awareness and Resources • Annual Legislative Open House • Social Media • LOTA Facebook page • Email Updates • LOTA Website http://www.lota.org/

19. Public Awareness and Resources • Networking • LOTA Public Member Directory • Career Center • Annual Spring Conference Social and Silent Auction • Assistance with practice area issues • Todd Poche Endowed Scholarship Fund

20. Board of Volunteers • Work collaboratively across the state to: • Quarterly board meetings to ensure management and growth of the association • Promote OT & advocate for our profession • Identify continuing education needs/wants and work to offer courses • When an issue presents, the Board works to identify practitioners within an area of expertise to address needs/concerns • Provide email updates

21. And LOTA could do so much more, But…

22. We must increase membership… • In order to have the finances to pay for: • Lobbyist ($15,000/annually) • Management Company (~$19,400/annually) • Accountant ($350—annual taxes) • Website, Telephone, Mailings, Insurance, etc. (~$2,500/annually) • Fees to process credit card payments (~$2,000/annually) • Fees incurred by LOTA for convenience to members. Payment by check saves LOTA 3% of CC fees.

23. We must increase membership… • To support financial expenses of LOTA’s management company: • Process membership applications • Process credit card and other payments • Update the website • Oversees budget & assists to update financials on monthly basis • Manage database with CEUs • Alert practitioners to issues relative to the profession • Respond to consumers in a timely & efficient manner • Assure Bylaws are followed • Assist in the management of conferences

24. We must increase membership… • To sustain and further grow our Association • To have a greater resource of volunteers to assist on committees, to serve as Board members, to generate ideas, and to insure our future as a profession.

25. Numbers don’t lie… • Of the Registered OT/OTA’s in the state of LA only ~18% are members of LOTA. • Our membership constantly fluctuates, and we need continued membership support. • Even if all current members were OT practitioners paying $100 annual dues, this WOULD NOT be enough to cover our current expenses, despite significant cuts.

26. Cost Comparison OT’s: $100/annually = $8.33/month or one less sub sandwich meal /month. COTA’S: $75 Annually = $6.25/month or one less hamburger meal/month.

27. Cost Comparison Student: $25/annually = $2.08/month or one less beverage/month. When you look at the cost compared to everyday purchases, it really is not that expensive.

28. Be A Part of the 400 LOTA is using this power point in a “grass roots” effort to reach practitioners throughout our state. There are plenty of opportunities to get involved, but at the least, please be a member and encourage others to join! Financials are always challenging and your membership is needed. We hope that this presentation has answered why your membership is important and what LOTA provides to you as a practitioner. Thank you

29. To Help Protect Your Profession Join LOTA Today: Phone: 1-225-291-2806 Website: www.lota.org