APTQI Commends Introduction of Physical Therapist Workforce and Patient Access Act (H.R. 2802) in House of Representatives
Bipartisan bill addresses the physical therapist professional shortage by enabling physical therapists to participate in the National Health Service Corps student loan repayment program.
Washington, DC, May 18, 2019 --(PR.com)-- The Alliance for Physical Therapy Quality and Innovation (APTQI) today commended the introduction of the Physical Therapist Workforce and Patient Access Act (H.R. 2802), sponsored by Congresswoman Diana DeGette (D-CO) and John Shimkus (R-IL), which would help address the significant shortage of physical therapists and physical therapy professionals across the United States. A companion bill to the bipartisan S. 970, which is sponsored by Senators Angus King (I-ME), Jon Tester (D-MT), and Roger Wicker (R-MS), the legislation will enable physical therapists to participate in the National Health Service Corps student loan repayment program.
“Introduction of the Physical Therapist Workforce and Patient Access Act in the House represents a major step forward for millions of American patients who need physical therapy services—particularly in rural and high-need areas,” said Nikesh Patel, PT, Executive Director of APTQI. “By expanding access to these critical services, we can help address the serious shortage of physical therapy professionals just as demand for PT services and safe alternative to pharmacological painkillers for pain management is on the rise. We commend Congresswoman DeGette and Congressman Shimkus for their leadership and urge Congress to pass this bipartisan, commonsense bill quickly.”
An estimated additional 27,000 PTs will be needed by 2025 to meet demand for safe, professional, and patient-preferred physical therapy services, according to estimates. This problem is particularly acute in rural areas because many physical therapists are concentrated in major metropolitan areas. Many community-based PT operators are eager to invest in underserved communities if they had the resources to recruit more PTs and expand care. The Physical Therapist Workforce and Patient Access Act (H.R. 2802) would create important incentives for more medical professionals to enter the specialty, expanding access to care in rural and high-need areas by ensuring the availability to PT professionals in these markets over time.
The National Health Service Corps works to alleviate shortages of medical professionals around the United States by offering student loan relief to medical professionals who commit to serve in a medically underserved or designated health care professional shortage area. Participants would be eligible to receive up to $50,000 towards their educational costs if they commit to serve in a medically underserved or designated health care professional shortage area. Participants would also be eligible to extend their service to five years to receive up to $100,000 in student loan repayments.
Unfortunately, under current law, the NHSC loan repayment program does not allow physical or occupational therapists to participate, despite the fact that many PTs work in NHSC-approved sites like Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs), private practices, and outpatient facilities. This makes it difficult for physical therapists to deliver services and open new centers in critically underserved markets. Enacting bipartisan legislation to address this issue is a crucial first step towards ensuring all Americans, regardless of geographic location, are able to access quality physical therapy services.
About Alliance for Physical Therapy Quality and Innovation (APTQI)
The Alliance for Physical Therapy Quality and Innovation (APTQI) unites small, medium and large physical therapy practices to advocate for the physical therapy profession in the areas of payment reform, quality initiatives, outcomes and innovation projects. We are an aligned group of therapists and practices who share a common vision for the future of our profession. Our goal is to establish physical therapy as the treatment of choice and the best value for patients and payers. Learn more at aptqi.com.
“Introduction of the Physical Therapist Workforce and Patient Access Act in the House represents a major step forward for millions of American patients who need physical therapy services—particularly in rural and high-need areas,” said Nikesh Patel, PT, Executive Director of APTQI. “By expanding access to these critical services, we can help address the serious shortage of physical therapy professionals just as demand for PT services and safe alternative to pharmacological painkillers for pain management is on the rise. We commend Congresswoman DeGette and Congressman Shimkus for their leadership and urge Congress to pass this bipartisan, commonsense bill quickly.”
An estimated additional 27,000 PTs will be needed by 2025 to meet demand for safe, professional, and patient-preferred physical therapy services, according to estimates. This problem is particularly acute in rural areas because many physical therapists are concentrated in major metropolitan areas. Many community-based PT operators are eager to invest in underserved communities if they had the resources to recruit more PTs and expand care. The Physical Therapist Workforce and Patient Access Act (H.R. 2802) would create important incentives for more medical professionals to enter the specialty, expanding access to care in rural and high-need areas by ensuring the availability to PT professionals in these markets over time.
The National Health Service Corps works to alleviate shortages of medical professionals around the United States by offering student loan relief to medical professionals who commit to serve in a medically underserved or designated health care professional shortage area. Participants would be eligible to receive up to $50,000 towards their educational costs if they commit to serve in a medically underserved or designated health care professional shortage area. Participants would also be eligible to extend their service to five years to receive up to $100,000 in student loan repayments.
Unfortunately, under current law, the NHSC loan repayment program does not allow physical or occupational therapists to participate, despite the fact that many PTs work in NHSC-approved sites like Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs), private practices, and outpatient facilities. This makes it difficult for physical therapists to deliver services and open new centers in critically underserved markets. Enacting bipartisan legislation to address this issue is a crucial first step towards ensuring all Americans, regardless of geographic location, are able to access quality physical therapy services.
About Alliance for Physical Therapy Quality and Innovation (APTQI)
The Alliance for Physical Therapy Quality and Innovation (APTQI) unites small, medium and large physical therapy practices to advocate for the physical therapy profession in the areas of payment reform, quality initiatives, outcomes and innovation projects. We are an aligned group of therapists and practices who share a common vision for the future of our profession. Our goal is to establish physical therapy as the treatment of choice and the best value for patients and payers. Learn more at aptqi.com.
Contact
Alliance for Physical Therapy Quality and Innovation
Ellen Almond
703-548-0019
Ellen Almond
703-548-0019
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