Bill Text: MO HCR33 | 2013 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Recognizes music therapy as a valid health care service
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2013-04-04 - Referred: General Laws(H) [HCR33 Detail]
Download: Missouri-2013-HCR33-Introduced.html
FIRST REGULAR SESSION
House Concurrent Resolution No. 33
97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVES SWAN (Sponsor), KIRKTON AND GARDNER (Co-sponsors).
WHEREAS, music therapy is defined as the clinical and evidence-based use of music interventions to accomplish individualized goals within a therapeutic relationship by a credentialed professional who has completed an approved music therapy program; and
WHEREAS, in order for a person to be a board-certified music therapist (MT-BC), he or she must complete a degree in music therapy at a college or university approved by the American Music Therapy Association and be certified by the Certification Board for Music Therapists (CBMT); and
WHEREAS, music therapy is a health field that offers benefits across all developmental domains and supports patients of all ages and ability levels, including but not limited to, children, adolescents, adults, and the elderly; and
WHEREAS, research has shown that music therapy can help Alzheimer’s patients regain cognitive function, premature infants gain weight, autistic children communicate, stroke patients regain speech and mobility, dental, surgical, and orthopedic patients control chronic pain, and psychiatric patients manage anxiety and depression; and
WHEREAS, research has shown music therapy to be a cost-effective service by reducing medication costs, addressing multiple domains in one session, and increasing medical staff efficiency; and
WHEREAS, more than 28,000 Missourians receive music therapy services each year; and
WHEREAS, more than 135 board-certified music therapists (MT-BCs) work in Missouri; and
WHEREAS, Missouri has three colleges that offer degrees in music therapy: the University of Missouri - Kansas City, Drury University, and Maryville University; and
WHEREAS, music therapists are not presently required to be licensed, certified, or registered by the state:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the members of the House of Representatives of the Ninety-seventh General Assembly, First Regular Session, the Senate concurring therein, hereby recognize that music therapy is a valid and important health care service for Missourians and request that steps be taken to enact legislation requiring the licensure of music therapists in the state of Missouri.
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