Glenview, IL….This week, State Representative Elizabeth Couslon provided the keynote speech at the National Association for Support of Longterm Care’s (NASL) annual meeting in Chicago. As a physical therapist, Rep. Coulson has made health care reform one of her top priorities in the state legislature.

Rep. Coulson spoke about the shortage of therapists in Illinois and across the nation, the federal therapy cap for Medicare coverage and national health care reform.

“Our members provide services to patients in nursing homes so they are particularly interested in long-term care issues,” said Alan Peterson, NASL Director of Government Relations. “Rep. Coulson’s appearance has our large therapy community very excited.”

A consistent advocate for health care professionals, Rep. Coulson has supported and sponsored a wide array of landmark legislation to improve the health care industry.

This year, she supported successful legislation which further expands the number of nurses who qualify for prescriptive authority; implements hospital strategies regarding the safe handling of patients; ensures Medicaid coverage for psychiatric services; and implements a regional plan to ensure hospitals can properly treat stroke victims.

“It was an honor to be part of national Association for Support of Longterm Care’s annual meeting. I certainly commend these bright individuals who have committed their professional lives to improving the long-term health care industry. As part of the baby-boomer generation, I share their commitment to ensuring that older adults have access to cost-effective long-term quality care,” Rep. Coulson said.