Happy National Volunteer Month!

Please join me in recognizing and celebrating your colleagues who serve our profession at the district, state, and national levels! I am impressed by the depth and breadth of their knowledge and experience. Their collective efforts result in collaborative relationships with insurers, payers, and legislators.

Consider volunteering with us especially at the district level in a leadership position, become a member of the communications or membership committees, or serve as the PTA Council representative. Reach out to mail@iowaapta.org to learn more.

Highlights from the April Board of Directors Meeting:

• APTA Iowa is planning events during RAGBRAI to promote physical therapy and provide opportunities to network with colleagues from Iowa and other states. Interested in joining a planning team, contact us at mail@iowaapta.org.
• Discussions about the Chapter bylaws continue. Results from the member bylaws survey showed all articles had greater than 2/3 support; however, comments regarding PTA voting rights warranted further attention. APTA General Counsel joined the meeting virtually. APTA Iowa’s current bylaws (2021) are out of compliance with APTA bylaws. All APTA component bylaws must not conflict with APTA bylaws. Retaining half vote provisions for PTAs is a conflict. The Bylaws Task Force will work with APTA leadership in order to come into compliance. Watch for more information this summer.                                   
• Reviewed the Investment Policy with our financial advisor. APTA Iowa continues to have a strong financial position.
• Chief Delegate reported that the Iowa delegation in collaboration with APTA Private Practice submitted a motion concept, position statement on unified advocacy and collaboration to advance payment policy, for consideration at the House of Delegates meeting July 12-13 in Portland, Oregon.
• Payment and Policy Committee wants members to be aware of resources for payer advocacy: State Payer Advocacy Resource Consortium (SPARC).

Advocacy:

• The Advocacy Reception on April 15 was a success! Approximately 30 state legislators attended. Members spent their time building relationships and communicating Chapter legislative priorities.
• As the 2026 Iowa Legislative Session comes to a close, I want to extend an important thank you to Doug Struyk and his team at Carney Appleby Law for guiding us through another session. They monitor bills that impact physical therapy practice and provide strategy when indicated.
• APTA is hosting the Payment Advocacy Summit July 10-11 in Portland, Oregon. APTA is funding 2 Chapter members to attend. APTA is also offering free registration to 4 members. Contact mail@iowaapta.org if interested. Registrations will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis.

Thank you for your continued partnership,

Sue Bravard, PT, MS