Student-Led Flash Action Strategy to Support Pelvic Health

Posted By: Kim Parker-Guerrero Academy News, Practice & Advocacy,

This free webinar was presented by Kim Parker-Guerrero (Director of Practice), Gail Zitterkopf (Federal Affairs Liaison), and our Student Special Interest Group (SSIG) during which they discussed the student-led APTA Flash Action Strategy and H.R. 2480 Optimizing Postpartum outcomes Act. Watch this recording to learn how you and your student peers can get involved to help support pelvic health access in the United States.  

The APTA Flash Action Strategy is a nationwide campaign led by physical therapy students. This two-day social media campaign this year takes place September 20-21 and will focus on H.R. 2480 Optimizing Postpartum Outcomes Act. The goal is to send 5,000 letters to the House in two days.

Your participation in the 2023 APTA Student Flash Action Strategy is crucial in advancing the cause of pelvic health physical therapy. Let's unite our voices and make a lasting impact. Together, we can raise awareness and create positive change. Thank you for being part of this important advocacy effort!

Resources:

  • Position Paper: Optimizing Postpartum Outcomes Act: The American Physical Therapy Association strongly supports the Optimizing Postpartum Outcomes Act (H.R. 2480), legislation that will raise awareness of the availability and importance of pelvic health services, particularly pelvic health physical therapy, for postpartum women using Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program. H.R. 2480 was introduced by Reps. Don Bacon, R-Neb., and Lisa Blunt Rochester, D-Del.

Watch Recording

About the H.R. 2480 & the Student-Led APTA Flash Action Strategy Campaign

As the pelvic health professional community knows, many postpartum individuals, as well as their healthcare providers, remain unaware of the transformative role pelvic health physical therapy can play in addressing postpartum complications. H.R. 2480 aims to change this by increasing awareness of the availability and importance of pelvic health PT for postpartum women. With your help, the goal of Flash Action Strategy 2023 is to send 5,000 letters to Congress over the two-day event. 

How You Can Take Action

Here's how you can participate and help reach our goal of sending 5,000 letters to Congress during the two-day event:

  • Stay Informed: Visit APTA's website for information, promotional graphics, and resources about FAS.
  • Mark Your Calendar: FAS will take place on September 20-21. Be sure to participate and encourage other fellow students to join.
  • Educate Yourself: Learn more about the issue by watching this brief 2-minute video and reading the position paper.
  • Contact Your Legislators: Utilize the APTA Legislative Action Center and Patient Action Center to ask your Representative to support pelvic health physical therapy.
  • Share Resources: Share this position paper with your peers and fellow students before the event.
  • Engage on Social Media: Use the hashtags #PTAdvocacy and #FAS2023 on social media to stay connected and amplify our message.
  • Participate in the Student Advocacy Challenge: Encourage your peers to participate in the Student Advocacy Challenge 2023. Each student's participation in FAS earns 10 points, and there are no limits on the number of points a program can earn.