AMTA-KY Government Relations Report 7/21/2024

Ann Boone, AMTA-KY Government Relations Chair

Government Relations Report – July 21, 2024

Ann Boone, LMT, AMTA-KY Government Relations Chair

The National AMTA has filed a lawsuit challenging the Federal Department of Education (DoE) bill that was passed on October 1, 2023, and which was scheduled to go into effect on 7/1/24. It is now on hold due to this and other lawsuits.

it is important to support the “Smucker Amendment” as it would allow Title IV schools (i.e. those who offer loans/grants, etc. and are regularly audited by an accrediting agency), to teach up to 150% of the state minimum clock hours for a chosen vocation. For Massage Therapy in Kentucky, the current minimum number of clock hours is 600; 150% of this would be up to 900 clock hours. As a profession, we are hearing more of a call to be recognized as Healthcare Practitioners. Decreasing the number of clock hours in entry level Massage Therapy education programs is not the answer. We will continue to watch current and new developments.

In an effort to continue to elevate the profession of Massage Therapy, The Healthcare Advocacy & Research Committee (HARC) was established in 2023 to support the ongoing AMTA Government Relations as it relates to the clinical and integrative care environment. I am honored to have been selected as one of seven AMTA member Massage Therapists in the country to be on this working committee. We have only begun the work of reviewing the Standards of Practice for the Massage Therapy profession to determine what, if any, changes may need to be made moving forward. This will be a slow, deliberate process and we will continue to update our members regarding this committee’s progress.

At this time, adding Kentucky to the Interstate Massage Compact put forward by the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB) proposing a bill to promote portability of Massage Therapy has been tabled due to opposition of certain aspects of the proposal. Military families are currently able to take advantage of this portability. AMTA continues to work with the FSMTB, Association of Bodywork and Massage Professionals (ABMP) and other vested parties to continue to explore the best way forward.

Microcurrent devices have been approved to use within our scope of practice by the Kentucky Board for Licensure in Massage Therapy (KBLMT). We are currently working with a PEMF company (BEMER) to have that device also fully approved as well. These were both approved within our scope 3/18/21. However, approval of the CE classes by the KBLMT for each device is necessary in order for them to be fully approved within our scope of practice.

Finally, on June 30th I attended the American Association of Equine Therapists and Technicians (AAETT) annual conference at Asbury University in Wilmore, Kentucky. I went as an individual and not a representative of either the KBLMT or AMTA. I was interested in sitting with equine therapists, veterinarians and others involved in equine therapies to hear their concerns and desires as they find a way forward to regulating animal massage in Kentucky. I have also had discussions with members of the National Board of Certification for Animal Acupressure and Massage (NBCAAM) to learn about their requirements for certification. The Kentucky Board of Veterinary Examiners (KBVE) continues to work on a framework for Animal Massage regulation. Board members and licensees with the KBVE would like input into developing a program and certification process. Please contact them at: kbve.ky.gov and request to be on their mailing list for any developing information or with any questions. Please pass this information along to any interested equine therapists. Your input and engagement are encouraged as they are looking at revisiting state certification in the next few years. KBLMT has expressed interest in having a seat at the table with regards to regulatory input and has been in regular contact with them.

In health,

Ann E. Boone, LMT, BCTMB, MLD-C

Remember: Please continue to check the KBLMT website for any updates (bmt.ky.gov).

We will share updates as we receive them as well.

If you have any further questions, please contact Ann E. Boone, LMT at grchair@amtaky.org.