Ask Your Representative to Cosponsor H.R. 8181

Ask Your Representative to Cosponsor H.R. 8181 and Raise Awareness of the Importance of Postpartum Care

Pelvic health physical therapy is a vital part of recovery in the postpartum period. It can aid in muscle control and tissue repair, and help heal internal portions of cesarean section scars. However, many new mothers lack access to and awareness of the benefits of pelvic health physical therapy. Even some health care providers may not understand the importance of pelvic health physical therapy in the postpartum period.

Recently, Reps. Jaime Herrera Beutler, R-Wash., and Lisa Blunt Rochester, D-Del., introduced the Optimizing Postpartum Outcomes Act (H.R. 8181), APTA-supported bipartisan legislation that will raise awareness of the availability and importance of pelvic health services, particularly pelvic health physical therapy, for postpartum women covered by Medicaid and CHIP. This legislation is aimed at advancing the goal in APTA’s Public Policy Priorities, 2021-2022, to expand patient access to care.

H.R. 8181 is designed to address gaps in knowledge and access by providing guidance to state Medicaid and CHIP programs administering pelvic health services performed during the postpartum or neonatal period. It also authorizes programs to raise provider and patient awareness of the importance of pelvic health examinations and pelvic health physical therapy.

Instructing mothers and providers on the importance of pelvic health physical therapy is vital for preserving maternal health. Physical therapists practicing in pelvic health treat individuals across the gender spectrum and lifespan for pelvic health-related conditions that include, but are not limited to, urinary dysfunction, bowel dysfunction, musculoskeletal dysfunction, sexual dysfunction, cancer-related rehabilitation, and the peri-partum state. After performing an evaluation and making a diagnosis, pelvic health physical therapists create and implement personalized plans based on best available evidence to help their patients improve mobility, recover from injury, prevent future injury, and manage pain and chronic conditions. They are part of a collaborative care team aimed at empowering patients to be active participants in their care and well-being.

Take action today and let your members of Congress know that mothers using Medicaid and CHIP must be aware of and have access to pelvic health physical therapy.

This action alert is exclusive for APTA Advocacy Network members and is not currently available on the Patient Action Center. Thank you for your advocacy!

Make your advocacy efforts go even further – support PTPAC. Your contributions are essential in building and continuing relationships with members of Congress on behalf of the physical therapy profession. Visit https://ptpac.apta.org/ to learn more.

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Letter Template

Dear Representative,

Please consider cosponsoring the Optimizing Postpartum Outcomes (OPO) Act (H.R. 8181), legislation which raises awareness of the availability and importance of pelvic health services, particularly pelvic health physical therapy, for postpartum women using Medicaid and CHIP. This legislation was introduced by Reps. Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-WA) and Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE).

Pelvic health physical therapy is a vital part of recovery in the postpartum period. It can aid in muscle control, tissue repair, and help heal internal portions of cesarean section and perineal scars. However, many mothers lack access to and awareness of the benefits of pelvic health physical therapy. Even some health care providers may not be aware of the importance of pelvic health physical therapy in the postpartum period.

As federally and tax funded agencies, it is important that Medicaid and CHIP recipients and providers are aware of the services to which they have access. Failure to receive timely pelvic health physical therapy could result in postpartum mothers developing life-long conditions that may have physical, mental, and financial consequences. This legislation would ensure Medicare and CHIP recipients and providers are aware of and using this vital care.

H.R. 8181 is designed to address knowledge and access gaps by providing guidance to state Medicaid and CHIP programs administering pelvic health services performed during the postpartum or neonatal period. It also authorizes programs to raise both provider and patient awareness of the importance of pelvic health examinations and pelvic health physical therapy.

Pelvic health physical therapists diagnose and treat individuals across the gender spectrum and lifespan for pelvic health related conditions that include, but are not limited to urinary dysfunction, bowel dysfunction, musculoskeletal dysfunction, sexual dysfunction, cancer-related rehabilitation, and the peri-partum state. After performing an evaluation and making a diagnosis, Pelvic Health Physical Therapists create and implement personalized plans based on best available evidence to help their patients improve mobility, recover from injury, prevent future injury, and manage pain and chronic conditions. They are part of a collaborative care team aimed at empowering patients to be active participants in their care and well-being. We must ensure that patients in need of pelvic health understand its importance and know they have access to it when needed.

I urge you to promote the well-being of postpartum mothers by co-sponsoring H.R. 8181. Thank you for your consideration.