WOTA - Legislative Updates

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Legislative Updates

9 Oct 2024 7:34 PM | Sarah Punshon (Administrator)

Our blog post this month will bring you up to date on recent legislation that affects the profession of OT in Wisconsin.

Legislative advocacy is one of the most important things that WOTA does and one of the many reasons to become a member and maintain your membership in WOTA! WOTA works with lobbyists to promote the profession of OT and to ensure that we are represented in bills that affect our day-to-day work and the clients and communities we serve.

Below is an update of the most recent legislative session.

Assembly Bill 507 (AB507) didn't make it to the Assembly, which effectively “killed” the bill. AB507 would have authorized the first 12 visits of occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech therapy, or chiropractic visits before requiring pre-authorization. It would have required a health plan to re-authorize coverage of a service for which previous coverage was approved within three business days. WOTA worked with PT, chiropractic, and lobbyists for the insurance companies to word the bill in a way that would increase chances of getting the bill passed.

Assembly Bill 959 (AB959) passed the Assembly, but did not get onto the Senate floor, which also “killed” this bill. AB959 would have created an Occupational Therapy Examining Board independent of the Medical Examining Board. The goal of this bill was to generate more efficient processes for OT regulations, scope issues, and licenses.

Assembly Bill 90 (AB90) passed the Assembly in January, but did not get onto the Senate floor, which also “killed” this bill. AB90 would allow third parties (like WOTA) to process license applications for OTs and OTAs instead of the Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS).

In February of 2023, WOTA and The Welch Group hosted OT Day at the Capital. About 100 OTs, OTAs, and OT/A students came to the capital in Madison to meet with legislators and their aides to advocate for the profession of Occupational Therapy.

WOTA has representation at all Medicaid and licensing board meetings so that our collective voice can be heard; and so we can keep you, our members and the OT community of Wisconsin, updated.

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Wisconsin Occupational Therapy Association
wota@wota.net