Kansas Occupational Therapy Association (KOTA)

“Change” has been the key word for our profession, and our society, in 2009. It has produced powerful grassroots advocacy from AOTA and KOTA. Change is not over. Much lies ahead in 2010, and we will stay on the front lines for you.

The advocacy of both AOTA and KOTA is crucial. It has a direct impact on your daily life, your daily practice, and your ability to make a good living as an occupational therapy practitioner. It is about your job, your ethics, the best use of your knowledge—living occupational therapy to its fullest.

Occupational therapy would not be recognized by public and private insurance programs such as Medicare, Medicaid, IDEA, workers’ compensation, and TRICARE.
500 occupational therapists, assistants, and students would not have brought the message of occupational therapy as part of the solution to health care to Capitol Hill this fall.
Proposals to expand occupational therapy’s role in home health would not have been brought forward.
Patient protections and training programs would not include occupational therapy.
Key occupational therapy areas of practice, like orthotics, could have been decimated.

The occupational therapy profession would not be regulated in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. Most states have licensure laws.
Other professions could restrict occupational therapy’s scope of practice. Licensure laws assert and protect our scope of practice.
New autism insurance coverage laws might not include occupational therapy services.
Cuts to Medicaid funding for school-based services and other community services would go unchallenged.
State health care programs might not include occupational therapy.

It is important for you to be a part of both AOTA and KOTA. Joining both associations provides you with career protection, provides you with a voice, and protects what you value most—the identity and authenticity of occupational therapy and its ability to meet society’s needs. Not joining leaves the work undone, the challenges unmet, and the profession disadvantaged.

In this time when state budgets are being prepared with significant cuts to services, when the federal government may be implementing an entire new approach to health care reform, when many other professions are willing to say they do what occupational therapy does, none of us can afford to be bystanders. Make sure your voice is heard. Make sure your profession is preserved for the future. Make sure your livelihood continues to support you and your family.
If you are not a member of both AOTA and KOTA, join now. Don’t stay on the sidelines. The challenges and struggles will continue. Occupational therapy’s success depends on your participation.