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On today\\u2019s episode of the Healthy Wealthy and Smart Podcast, Michael Matlack joins me to discuss the Physical Therapy Political Action Committee (PT-PAC). Michael Matlack is the Director of Congressional Affairs with the American Physical Therapy Association which advances the association\'s legislative priorities on Capitol Hill through federal lobbying, grassroots, and political action.

In this episode, we discuss:

-Physical Therapy Political Action Committee: What it is and what it isn\\u2019t

-How the PT PAC attracts the attention of legislators

-Important PT PAC initiatives in 2017

-Ways you can get involved with the PT PAC

-What is up with all those ducks??

-And so much more!

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The most effective way to get past the wall of congressional staff and lobbyists is through direct lines of communication from practitioners and patients. To elicit action from our members of congress, Michael believes, \\u201cThey need to hear from our members, our patients and how healthcare policy affects them.\\u201d

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One of the initiatives the PT PAC is targeting for 2017 is physical therapy as an alternative to opioid use for pain management. Michael notes that we need to educate legislators that, \\u201cWe can manage pain. You don\\u2019t need to do drugs to do that. Physical therapy is the answer in many ways.\\u201d

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Members of congress are there to represent their constituents and physical therapists can get involved in local advocacy and contact their own representatives to make the biggest impact. Michael advises, \\u201cWhat\\u2019s most important is to share what you do and how this healthcare policy affects your patients. That\\u2019s what resonates with members of congress.\\u201d

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For more information on Michael:

Michael Matlack is currently the Director of Congressional Affairs in the Government Affairs department of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA). He oversees APTA\\u2019s lobbying team, PAC, and grassroots departments. Michael was employed by APTA on April, 1999.

Prior to joining APTA, Michael was employed by the National Society of Professional Engineers as their Manager of Congressional Relations for two and half years. Michael was in charge of their political action committee, grassroots programs, and lobbying on education and research issues.

Michael also worked at Pearson & Pipkin, Inc, a small consulting firm, the Republican National Committee and interned for former Congressman Richard Pombo (R-CA).

Michael is responsible for all political action at the federal level. Michael is in charge of APTA\\u2019s political action committee, PT-PAC. In the 2015-2016 election cycle PT-PAC raised more than $1.6 million through the direction of Mr. Matlack.

Michael received his Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science from North Carolina State University in 1993. Michael has been married to his wife Cynthia for twent-one years and has two children named, Summer and Kayla.

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Resources discussed on this show:

Email: michaelmatlack@apta.org

Phone: (703) 706-3163

Legislative Action Center

Federal Advocacy Forum

PT PAC

House of Delegates

Private Practice Section Annual Conference 2017\\xa0\\xa0

Action App

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Have a great week and stay Healthy Wealthy and Smart!

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Xo Karen

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P.S. Do you want to be a stand out podcast guest? Make sure to grab the tools from the FREE eBook on the home page! Check out my blog post on the Top 10 Podcast Episodes of 2016!

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