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| Legislative Committee Report (9/15/08) |
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Final Legislative Committee Report September 15, 2008 The 2008 Session of the Arizona Legislature convened on January 14 and adjourned on June 27. There were no bills with adverse effect on occupational therapy, and the major issue by far was the state’s budget situation. The two specific bills of interest that were enacted both involved the Board of Occupational Therapy, the licensing body for OTs and COTAs. The Board went through its ten-year sunset review, and the Legislature extended it for another ten years. In addition, the Board itself introduced a bill to rewrite most of the disciplinary and enforcement provisions, and some of the licensing provisions. Much of this legislation was proposed in preparation for significant rule changes the Board will be considering. On the budget, the Legislature closed a $1.8 billion dollar deficit in April, and then had to solve an additional $2.2 billion shortfall in June, in order to adopt a budget for Fiscal Year 2008-09. Fortunately, most of the state agencies and programs for which OT services are provided--AHCCCS, DES, DHS, Department of Education, and so on--did not receive drastic cuts. However, a portion of the accumulated funds generated by fees and held by the Board of Occupational Therapy to cover licensing and enforcement costs were swept into the general fund. ArizOTA, along with several other associations representing licensed health care professionals, anticipates seeking repayment of the swept amounts. Unfortunately, the state budget situation has worsened, and a special session appears likely some time after the November election. Such a session, or action in the 2009 regular session, to address at least an additional $1 billion deficit, could well result in actual program cuts or larger fund sweeps, or both. The ArizOTA Legislative Committee will be tracking any proposals very closely, and will be working jointly with other health care organizations to protect key service and program areas. |
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