Physical therapy is recognized as an essential health care service, yet PTs and PTAs are often excluded from state and federal programs that would incentivize individuals from pursuing careers in the field through student loan debt relief or assistance in defraying the cost of education.

Why It Matters

The need for care from PTs and PTAs is rising, but education costs are high. To expand the physical therapy workforce to meet this need, more needs to be done to relieve the financial pressures faced by the profession.

Our Position

APTA supports legislation that allows PTs and PTAs to access federal student loan debt repayment programs and other incentives to pursue a career in physical therapy.

Updates

APTA is supporting two important initiatives that could significantly impact the physical therapy workforce.

The Health Care Workforce Innovation Act (H.R. 7307/S. 4957) would establish a Health Care Workforce Innovation Grant Program that would provide funding for Community Health Centers and rural health clinics to carry out innovative, community-driven models to educate and train a wide range of health professionals, including physical therapists and physical therapist assistants, through partnerships with high schools, community colleges, and other entities. These grants can be used to support new and existing health care ladder programs.

The Physical Therapist Workforce and Patient Access Act of 2023 (H.R. 4829) introduced in the House of Representatives, would allow physical therapists to participate in the National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program, helping to ensure that individuals in medically underserved areas have access to needed physical therapy care.

Provide your support easily via APTA's Patient Action Center.