California Physical Therapists Respond to Audit Requested by Assemblymember Hayashi

California Physical Therapists Respond to Audit Requested by Assemblymember Hayashi

(Sacramento, CA) - The Joint Legislative Audit Committee on August 24, 2011, approved going forward with an audit of the Physical Therapy Board of California (PTBC). The audit was requested by Assemblymember Mary Hayashi (D-Hayward) in a May 26 letter specifically asking for an assessment "regarding the relationship [of the PTBC] with professional organizations within the profession and its handling of complaints against physical therapists." The audit is expected to cost approximately $188,000 and is scheduled to be completed by spring 2012.

Dr. James Syms, PT, DSc, ATC, SCS, president of the California Physical Therapy Association (CPTA) issued this statement:

"As charged by the Legislature, the PTBC is responsible for protecting the public and consumers from the unprofessional, incompetent and criminal practice of physical therapy. Although CPTA is not always in agreement with the PTBC, our organization fully understands and respects the authority of the PTBC and its mission to protect consumers and enforce the law.

"CPTA believes compliance with California laws and regulations is a critical responsibility of any state licensing board and the decision to audit a licensing board should be taken extremely seriously to ensure the audit is being performed in the public's interest and not to intimidate or influence the actions taken by a board or its staff.

"CPTA maintains an appropriate relationship with the PTBC and will cooperate fully with the audit, if asked.

"Although Assembly Member Hayashi requested the audit in May, CPTA believes her decision to move forward with a Joint Legislative Committee hearing may have been largely based on a June 2011 decision in which policymakers voted against Hayashi's proposed legislation known as the "Physician Self Referral for Profit" bill (AB 783) that died in Committee.

"In light of this decision and the Moscone-Knox Act, which prohibits medical and podiatric corporations from employing physical therapists, the PTBC had a responsibility to move forward in alerting physical therapists to examine their employment relationships.

"Contrary to Assembly Member Hayashi's ongoing assertions that thousands of physical therapists will be impacted if the current law is enforced, estimates suggest that only two percent of California physical therapists are employed illegally by medical and podiatric corporations.

"As always, CPTA continues to serve its members and assist non-members in complying with current law, which prohibits medical and podiatric corporations from employing physical therapists.

"CPTA will be interested in reviewing the audit report next spring."

CONTACT: Heather Pino
Executive Associate, Membership &
Communications
(916) 929-2782

/PRNewswire -- Aug. 29, 2011/

SOURCE California Physical Therapy Association

California Physical Therapy Association

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