2022 has been a busy year for LOTA’s legislative committee. We have had many new people join our team, making us stronger and more active than ever! First, we began with hiring our new lobbyist team: Roby Reiger and Allyce Trapp with the Adams and Reese firm. They helped us follow the progression of 53 bills through the legislative process. These bills span licensure, behavioral health, procedures during states of emergency, body autonomy, expenditure of state funds, students with exceptionalities, telehealth services, workers’ compensation, and Medicaid coverage. Rob and Allyce helped us set up meetings with legislators and other healthcare disciplines to create amendments and edit language of bills. 

But who is us? The legislative committee is composed of 13 LOTA members. All of whom come from different backgrounds and expertise. We held in-person and virtual meetings to review issues and determine how certain legislation could impact our profession. These amazing men and women are the reason we have secure jobs. 

LOTA’s Hill Day took place on April 28th. This is one of the most crucial events that LOTA organizes. This event symbolizes to lawmakers, other health professions, and the entire Louisiana community that occupational therapists are a force to be reckoned with! We had an amazing turn out with over 20 participants! OT students from LSU-NO, acute care therapists, orthopedic therapists, and school-based therapists all came out to show their pride. We shared with legislators our personal stories and educated them on the impact occupational therapy has on our local community.