Victory!  HB2499, our Massage Therapy Licensing Bill had successfully made it through the Senate Professional Licensure Committee with a vote of 12 to 2 on September 17, 2008.  Next stop, made it through the Appropriations Committee with a unanimous vote 26 to 0, on October 7, then sailed through the Senate with a vote of 47 to 3 on October 8th, then signed by the House for concurrence 191 to 8 later that day, then traveling right to our Governor's office to be signed into law. 

I want to send a special Thank You to all of you who have made phone calls, sent e-mails and supported us in our quest. Without everyone's help this would not have been possible!
 
Yes, we have waited 16 long years for this moment in Massage Therapy history in Pennsylvania to take place.  HB 2499 has received tremendous support from AMTA members and from members of other National organizations alike, as we now have closure to our 16 year endeavor.  
 
AMTA PA will continue to keep you informed and updated by enhancing our website www.AMTAPA.org ,creating a "question and answer" format for you in order to answer questions that you may have regarding the meaning of the language in our bill, i.e. grandfathering, continuing education, testing, etc.
 
HB2499 was a carefully crafted compromise between numerous health care organizations and will now launch us into a higher level of Massage Therapy practice.  It is time to celebrate.  We have made history in Pennsylvania!
 
AMTA's National Massage Therapy Awareness Week, 2008 is the week of October 19-25.  National Massage Therapy Awareness week (NMTAW) as become a major effort to promote Massage Therapy and is one of AMTA's most successful members programs.
 
Our Pennsylvania Chapter must begin planning our event for NMTAW now.  We must keep in mind it's helpful to plan on utilizing publicity efforts to connect with nationwide activities.  This year's theme is "Celebrate". AMTA National will use NMTAW to promote the results of AMTA's National Consumer Survey about Massage with a tie-in to local trends.  Our strategy is to attract media attention.  You should attempt to make a connection between trends you see in your area and trends revealed in our National survey.  This week is designed to raise public awareness about the benefits of Massage; attract media attention to nationwide activities being carried out by AMTA Chapters, members, as well as AMTA School Members, and to give all AMTA Members an opportunity to demonstrate their profession and skill.  Remember this week is an important tool in educating the public and healthcare professionals about the benefits and efficacy of massage.
 
Let's make this week something we can be proud of and better than the previous years.  After all, now that we will be licensed, we have a lot to celebrate about.  Thank you all and Congratulations!
 

Sincerely,
Gina Washlaski
AMTA PA Chapter