HB 22-1068 Summary

• Allows Medicaid reimbursement for therapy using equine movement (hippotherapy) provided by licensed physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech-language pathologists effective July 1, 2024.

• Defines "therapy using equine movement" as therapeutic activities that leverage horse-human interactions to facilitate progression toward meeting therapeutic goals.

• Reimbursement is subject to federal authorization and federal financial participation.

• Establishes legislative findings that equine movement therapy is standard practice recognized since the 1980s by major therapy associations and supported by 102 peer-reviewed journal articles, 12 case studies, and 13 meta-analyses.

• Notes that at least 37 states already provide Medicaid reimbursement for equine movement therapy.