Greetings Northeast District Members and Friends,

It’s hard to encapsulate all that has transpired in the past six weeks.

Six weeks ago, NED hosted an exceptionally well received and engaging Legislative Event at Sutter Rehabilitation Institute in Roseville. At that point, there was emerging concern over COVID-19 but the event went off with a bang. Strangers met and shook hands. Assemblyman Kevin Kiley spoke expertly on AB5, as it was the issue of the day. The following day Physical Therapists, Physical Therapist Assistants, and Students gathered in a huge ballroom and walked the halls arm in arm at the Capitol lobbying lawmakers on pressing issues for the Physical Therapy Professionals: independent contractor arrangements (AB5) and the appropriate training and scope for healthcare professionals.

And then, COVID-19 changed the way we stand in line, the frequency with which we get to see our friends and loved ones, and certainly the way we practice.

Many of these accommodations will be passing, some may not. For me, as a local Physical Therapy leader, I’ve been proud to follow the efforts of CPTA and APTA with respect to Telehealth, reimbursement, and innovative educational/social opportunities.

It’s been said, but always bears repeating, we are Better Together. The leaders of the Northeast District have reached out to support each other and we also want to be here for you, our members.

And so I have two asks as part of this message:

1) Please consider, signing on to this letter to Senator John Moorlach of the California State Senate.

Doing so will support the PT Compact Initiative. Twenty-six states are already a part of the Compact. Adding California to the list may one day help you and your colleagues provide care across state lines via the Compact’s direct implications for telehealth and other models of care. Read more at: Physical Therapist Licensure Compact

You can find the letter to Senator Moorlach here: https://form.jotform.com/200787160604149

And 2) Consider joining me in a Northeast District Zoom social on Thursday April 23rd at 8pm.

If we get ZoomBombed, or (more likely) when the meeting times out, please just re-click the link below:

Topic: Northeast District Zoom Social

Time: Apr 23, 2020 08:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting https://us04web.zoom.us/j/75758570810?pwd=K2JsVUFpd0JON2ZabVZNS1RIMTU0QT09

Meeting ID: 757 5857 0810

Password: 6Qs137

Thank you all for what you do for our clients and for our profession. I look forward to connecting on Thursday!

~Ben, NED Chair

March 9th
NED Legislative Event

Pictured left to right: Chris Reed, CPTA Government Affairs Committee Chair, Mario Moncada, CPTA Government Affairs Committee Member, Assemblyman Kevin Kylie, Leslie Torburn, CPTA Director, Ben Braxley NED Chair, and Rick Katz, CPTA President