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North Country senator disappointed in governor's veto of bill to expand worker's compensation

Posted 12/6/16

North Country State Sen. Joseph Griffo has expressed disappointment in Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s veto of legislation he sponsored to allow physical therapist assistants to provide care to patients on …

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North Country senator disappointed in governor's veto of bill to expand worker's compensation

Posted

North Country State Sen. Joseph Griffo has expressed disappointment in Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s veto of legislation he sponsored to allow physical therapist assistants to provide care to patients on workers’ compensation.

The legislation would clarify the ability of physical therapist assistants, under direct supervision of a licensed physical therapist, to render care for certain patients, a statement from Griffo’s office said.

In most cases, a patient who obtains physical therapy receives a consultation and treatment plan from a licensed physical therapist (PT) and throughout treatment is supported by physical therapist assistants (PTA). The patient, therefore, interacts with both the PTs and PTAs during their treatment, the statement said.

But current law requires that a licensed PT must be the only person to provide direct care to a workers’ compensation patient. Workers’ Compensation Law will not cover the cost of physical therapy care delivered by a PTA. This creates a burden, Griffo said, and differs from other insurers who cover physical therapist assistants treatment.

“Physical therapy plays such an integral role in a person’s recovery process, and this legislation would have ensured fairer access to the services so many people need to heal from an injury,” he said.

“To apply a different set of rules for the same service to patients just because they are on workers’ compensation is unfair and outdated, and I am disappointed that the Governor rejected this important step toward improving how physical therapy services are provided.”