You Can Make a Difference: interact with your elected officials
You Can Make a Difference: interact with your elected officials
This new webinar for 2026 will provide an easy-to-understand overview of how our state government is run and how laws are made that directly and indirectly impact the practice of physical therapy in California. You will hear how individual PTs and PTAs can have a direct impact on the actions of our state legislators. This course will provide insights into how one can participate in grass-roots action in 2026 to impact state laws and regulations and, hopefully, inspire participation at the CPTA Legislative Day at the State Capitol.
Thursday February 26, 2026
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Online webinar
Registration: $10 APTA members / $20 non-members
https://www.northeast-cpta.org/classes-courses
(subject to change)
Objectives: (subject to change)
Understand how utilizing our power as individual citizens can impact the views of our elected officials.
Understand the important role of our CPTA Lobbyist as our partner at the Capitol
Gain inspiration to participate in the activities of the CPTA to impact legislative outcomes: introduction to California State Assembly & State Senate website.
Understand what CPTA “Leg Day” is all about and how easy it is to participate in meetings with your legislators.
Gain insight into examples of how California laws and regulations effect the practice of physical therapy and the payment for those services, and upcoming bills for 2026.
Dr. Gail Bachman, PT, DPT
Dr. Bachman, as of January 2026, is chair of the California Physical Therapy Association Political Action Committee. Dr. Bachman has been actively involved with the APTA, CPTA leadership, and integral in grass roots legislative activities in California. She is APTA Board Certified in Neurological Physical Therapy. Dr. Bachman received a BS in Kinesiology, and a Doctor of Physical Therapy at San Diego State University.
Additional speakers to be announced.
Schedule: (subject to change)
6:00-6:05 Introduction
6:05-6:30 How an inspired idea becomes a law, and the difference between laws and regulations.
6:30-7:00 How to utilize our power as individual citizens to impact the views of our elected officials. introduction to California State Assembly & State Senate website.
7:00-7:30 Examples of how California laws and regulations effect the practice of physical therapy & the payment for those services; upcoming bills for 2026
7:30-7:45 How participate in upcoming activities of the CPTA to impact legislative outcomes. Working with our Lobbyist
7:45-8:00 Q&A