February 2026 Pediatric Lecture Series: Pediatric Rehabilitation Advocacy-Session Recording

Video Transcription

Video Summary

This session focused on advocacy in pediatric rehabilitation, featuring Dr. Keith Foster, chair of the AAPM&R Health Policy and Legislation Committee, and Chris Stewart, the Academy’s Director of Advocacy and Government Affairs. Dr. Foster shared his background in physical medicine and rehab and emphasized the importance of physician advocacy to represent patients and the specialty, particularly because physiatry is a unique and less understood field. The Health Policy and Legislation Committee engages with Congress, regulatory agencies, and allied organizations to influence policies impacting PM&R, such as prior authorization reform, physician payment, Medicaid access, scope of practice, telehealth, and federal rehabilitation research funding. Chris Stewart detailed recent advocacy priorities, including securing extended telehealth flexibilities through 2027, pushing for bipartisan prior authorization reforms to reduce administrative burdens, defending physician payment structures, and protecting Medicaid services critical to many patients. They stressed the importance of physicians sharing firsthand experiences with policymakers, as legislators trust physician voices. Opportunities to engage include virtual or in-person meetings with lawmakers, grassroots campaigns like the AAPM&R Advocacy Action Center for easy letter writing, and committee involvement. Both encouraged members to report state or federal issues affecting PM&R and patients. Advocacy ensures physiatry maintains a seat at the policy table, prevents negative impacts from uninformed decisions, and amplifies the unique role PM&R plays in comprehensive patient care.

Keywords

pediatric rehabilitation advocacy

physiatry advocacy

AAPM&R Health Policy

prior authorization reform

physician payment

Medicaid access

telehealth flexibilities

federal rehabilitation research funding