ATLANTA— State Representative Karen Bennett (D-Stone Mountain) issued the following statement today regarding increased funding for occupational and physical therapy providers in the Fiscal Year 2017 (FY 2017) budget:
“During the 2016 legislative session, I successfully worked to obtain increased reimbursement rates for certain occupational and physical therapy provider service codes to 80 percent of the 2014 Medicare fee schedule. This increase in reimbursement rates will allow Georgia the ability to attract more qualified therapists to underserved communities across the state for children with special needs according to the Children’s Intervention Services (CIS) Program under the Department of Community Health.
As a long-time advocate for special needs children and their families, I have witnessed the need for skilled physical and occupational therapists in low-income and underserved communities, which is why I requested to include the reimbursement rate increase in the FY 2017 budget to enable more comprehensive health services for children who are in need of this care. A child’s earliest years are instrumental in developing cognitive, physical, and social growth, and they deserve to receive the care they need from the most qualified medical professionals.”
Representative Karen Bennett represents the citizens of Districts 94, which includes portions of DeKalb and Gwinnett counties. She was elected into the House of Representatives in 2012, and currently serves on the Code Revision, Economic Development & Tourism, Health & Human Services, and Regulated Industries committees.
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