Tomorrow is the hearing for 507/508 - taxation of massage therapy except when prescribed by a healthcare professional. More info on the hearing can be found here.
Why am I highly concerned? Because I think members and public are getting tired of dealing with these types of bills.
We've had less participation with these two bills than with 314 and 497. Let me assure you, you need to be concerned about these bills.
Think about who can - and possibly more importantly cannot - prescribe. Example: Mental Health Therapists, Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Athletic Trainers cannot prescribe. How many of your clients are referred by these professionals?
How many of you offer on site massage therapy? Will it be easy for those clients to get prescriptions before they see you?
How many of you work in a town without a doctor in town? Will it be easy for your clients to get a prescription before they see you?
How many of you use wraps, stones, paraffin, or other "spa services" as part of a therapeutic treatment? These are often viewed as purely pampering. Are you prepared to tax these therapeutic services because of lawmakers' and/or doctors' lack of knowledge and education about the treatments.
Are you prepared to install a system to keep track of prescriptions for tax purposes for each client? Charge a different amount for those with doctor's notes than those who don't have a note?
Is your treatment any different for those with a note than those without? Of course not! Do you feel the revenue committee should have the authority to decide what is and is not healthcare based on stereotypes and assumptions? Do you feel a doctor should have to carry the burden of who is or is not taxed?
Massage Therapy in Nebraska is a direct access, state licensed healthcare profession and Nebraska policy dictates we do not tax healthcare.
Please call and write the Revenue Committee. Then do it again. These bills, along with 314 and 497 could all change the profession of massage therapy and possibly impede our inroads within the healthcare community.
You can attend the hearings and have your voice heard without speaking in front of the committee. All you have to do is be in attendance, sign in as present, and mark your opposition to be on record. RSVP here so we know to look for you.
I know you are tired of dealing with this - this is the third year of the fight. But we must keep it up.
We may be small but we are mighty.
Alone we can do so little - together we can do so much. (Hellen Keller)
TEAMWORK: A few harmless flakes working together to unleash an avalanche of destruction. (Justin Sewell)
These are our mantras. I cannot do this without you. The leadership board cannot do this without you. Your voice matters. Please contact the revenue committee and your senator. Contact info can be found on our GR page. https://www.amtane.org/government-relations
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