FAL Briefing Memo 2021

• By: admin
• On: 08/23/2021 14:33:33
• In: Advocacy

• On August 9, Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT) and Sen. Roger Wicker introduced S. 2676, bipartisan legislation to add physical therapists to the National Health Service Corps. The senate bill is the companion to H.R. 3759, which was introduced in June by Rep. Diana DeGette (D-CO) and Rep. Kelly Armstrong (R-ND). The legislation would allow PTs to participate in the National Health Service Corps loan repayment program, an initiative that repays up to $50,000 in outstanding student loans to certain health care professionals who agree to work for at least two years in a designated Health Professional Shortage Area. APTA is a strong supporter of extending student loan forgiveness to PTs — particularly as a way to improve access to physical therapist services in areas already experiencing shortages — and has made passage of loan forgiveness legislation a key objective in our 2021-2022 public policy priorities. APTA has also included addressing student debt as a part of its overall strategic plan.