 |
HOUSE VOTES TO BOOST PHYSICAL THERAPY GRADUATES TO
MEET DEMAND
Amendment offers debt relief to PTs working in
areas of need
ALEXANDRIA, VA, February 8, 2008 — Physical therapists (PTs)
who choose to work with children, adolescents or veterans would be
eligible to apply for student loan forgiveness under legislation
approved Thursday, February 7, by the US House of Representatives. Rep
Joe Sestak's (D-PA) amendment to the College Opportunity and
Affordability Act of 2007 (HR 4137) authorizes the US Secretary of
Education to forgive a portion of qualifying student loan debt to PTs
practicing in areas of national need.
"According to the American Hospital Association, physical therapists
represent the occupation for which the greatest percentage of vacancies
exists in our hospitals across our nation, at 11.4%. This is at a time
when the demand for physical therapists' employment is projected to grow
27% within 8 years, even as 58% of our hospitals were reporting in 2006
that therapist recruitment is more difficult than the year before," said
Congressman Sestak. "I believe it is imperative we add physical
therapists into the 'areas of national need,' to ensure the Secretary of
Education has direction to provide loan repayment forgiveness to boost
the number of graduates of physical therapy programs, who provide
critical services to children, adolescents, and veterans."
The amendment authorizes the education secretary to forgive up to
$2,000 in Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) and William D Ford Direct
Loan (DL) debt per year of full-time employment in an area of national
need, with a maximum of $10,000 over 5 years of service. PLUS Loans
borrowed on behalf of a dependent student are exempt. HR 4137 already
included loan forgiveness for speech-language pathologists, early
childhood educators, nurses, medical specialists, and child welfare
workers, among others, but failed to recognize the profession of
physical therapy. Members of the House and Senate will meet in
conference to finalize the legislation.
"This amendment provides valuable incentives to enter the profession
of physical therapy and help meet the high demand for physical
therapists that exists across the nation," said American Physical
Therapy Association (APTA) President R Scott Ward, PT, PhD. "Physical
therapists often begin their careers with significant levels of student
loan debt. Offering forgiveness will help enhance physical therapy
availability for children, adolescents and veterans, and provide lasting
health benefits in these areas."
Physical therapists are health care professionals who diagnose and
manage individuals of all ages, from newborns to elders, who have
medical problems or other health-related conditions that limit their
abilities to move and perform functional activities in their daily
lives. Physical therapists examine each individual and develop a plan of
care using treatment techniques to promote the ability to move, reduce
pain, restore function, and prevent disability. Physical therapists also
work with individuals to prevent the loss of mobility by developing
fitness- and wellness-oriented programs for healthier and more active
lifestyles.
The American Physical Therapy Association (www.apta.org) is a
national organization representing physical therapists, physical
therapist assistants, and students nationwide. Its goal is to foster
advancements in physical therapist education, practice, and research.
Consumers can access "Find a PT" to find a physical therapist in their
area, as well as physical therapy news and information at www.apta.org/consumer.
[Last updated: 02/08/08 | Contact: govtaffair@apta.org]
|
|
|
Media