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APTA shapes policy issues that impact our profession and the patients and clients we serve.

Through lobbying, grassroots, and regulatory advocacy, APTA shapes policy on the issues that impact our profession and the patients and clients we serve.

Learn about some of the issues we're engaged with and what you can do to help.

See How You Can Take Action!

More Advocacy Issues

Administrative Burden Advocacy

Excessive time and resources spent on documentation and administrative tasks can hurt patient outcomes.

Direct Access Advocacy

More needs to be done to improve direct access in states across the country.

Essential Health Benefits Advocacy

Rehabilitative and habilitative services are among the essential health benefits that need to be maintained — and even expanded.

Fair Physical Therapy Copays Advocacy

Physical therapy saves money and achieves results that help patients get and stay healthy. But too often, insurance requires copays that effectively reduce access. This must change.

Health Information Technology Advocacy

PTs and PTAs need to be part of the evolution in health information technology.

IDEA and ESSA Advocacy

Every student deserves the ability to succeed in the classroom and beyond. The Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act and Every Student Succeeds Act make that possible.

Locum Tenens in Medicare Advocacy

Patients shouldn't have to have their care interrupted, and PTs shouldn't be forced to suspend services during temporary absences.

Medicaid Advocacy

Medicaid should put patients first.

Medicare Opt-Out Advocacy

APTA supports legislation that allows Medicare beneficiaries to select the health professional of their choice through private contracting.

The Medicare Payment Differential on Services Provided by PTAs

Beginning Jan. 1, 2022, payment for outpatient therapy services furnished by PTAs was reduced to 85% of the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule. This cut, harmful by itself, is happening in addition to other cuts to the fee schedule.

Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Advocacy

Support APTA's payment advocacy related to the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule.

Position Paper: Primary Health Services Enhancement Act

October 28, 2021 / Position Paper

This legislation would expand patient access to essential physical therapy services to children and adults who receive care at rural health clinics and community health centers.
Position Paper: Protecting Student Athletes From Concussions Act

March 1, 2020 / Position Paper

This legislation encourages the development of concussion management guidelines for elementary and secondary schools.
Safe Pain Management Advocacy

The ongoing opioid crisis in the U.S. reflects the unintended consequences of an effort to control pain by masking it. We're paying a terrible price.

Term and Title Protection Advocacy

Words matter. The use of "physical therapy," "physiotherapy," and the PT, DPT, and PTA titles should be restricted to qualified professionals.