Pain Management Policy, Research and Advocacy: How You Can Get Involved
As AMTA continues its advocacy efforts to promote massage therapy as an important part of an integrative approach to care, explore how you can get involved. Learn more about the state and federal policies that are changing the pain management landscape and helping to reduce the dependency on pharmacologic therapies for patients with acute and chronic pain. In this session, we will discuss AMTA’s government relations activities, our coalition partners, and opportunities for massage therapists to help elevate the profession. Participants will leave with a solid understanding of massage therapy legislative and regulatory initiatives at both the state and federal levels, as well as the basics of grassroots advocacy.
Christine Hoober is the Manager, Legislative and Regulatory Affairs at AMTA. Previously, she worked as the Government Relations Specialist for the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB) and lobbied for the UM System during the 2016 Missouri General Assembly. Christine was also an Iyengar-trained yoga teacher who worked with individuals with Parkinson’s and fibromyalgia, and experienced firsthand the benefits of holistic approaches to integrated care.
Deborah Outlaw has served as a health care consultant for over 20 years, providing federal legislative and regulatory services to numerous organizations with health care interests, including physician specialty groups, allied health providers, medical device manufacturers, safety net facility prescription drug providers, hospitals, and associations. She also spent more than 35 years in health and public policy arenas, serving in two Presidential Administrations and on Capitol Hill for a U.S. Senator.
Martha Rinker is the Government Relations Policy and Research Analyst at AMTA. She has deep experience in both federal and state legislative and regulatory health policy with numerous national organizations, including the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD), the Association of Diabetes Care and Education Specialists, and the American Podiatric Medical Association. She also served as counsel to a State Senate Committee and Legislative Director to a Member of Congress.
James Specker serves as the Senior Director for the Government & Industry Relations Department. Prior to AMTA, James was the Director of Federal and State Advocacy for the American Association of Diabetes Educators, working primarily on licensing/scope, and practice and provider recognition issues. James has also worked for the Illinois Action for Children, advocating for access to daycare and early childhood education for low-income families in the state of Illinois.