Physical Therapist Workforce and Patient Access Act of 2025
Congress Moves to Add Physical Therapists to Loan Repayment Program and Expand Medicare Clinic Therapy Coverage
Stalled
No legislative action in over 90 days.
Legislative Progress
Key Points
- Lets physical therapists qualify for a federal loan repayment program if they work in areas that don’t have enough health care providers.
- Tells the Health Department to identify “shortage areas” specifically for physical therapy, and place physical therapists there through the program.
- Adds funding for the loan repayment program and sets aside at least $15 million for physical therapists’ loan repayments.
- Expands what Medicare-approved services rural health clinics and community health centers can provide so they can include physical therapy.
- The Medicare clinic coverage change would start for services given on or after January 1, 2027, which could make it easier to get therapy closer to home in rural areas.
Impact Analysis
Personal Impact
How this policy affects specific groups of people
Milestones
Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Sent to a congressional committee for expert review. The committee decides whether this bill moves forward.
Introduced in House
The bill was officially filed and given a number. It now enters the legislative queue.
Votes
No votes have been recorded for this legislation yet.
Related News
2 articles
Position Paper: Physical Therapist Workforce and Patient Access
APTA’s updated position paper backing H.R. 5621, focusing on adding PTs to NHSC loan repayment and expanding access to PT in community health centers.
Physical Therapist Workforce Legislation Introduced in the U.S. House
Coverage of H.R. 5621’s introduction, including PT eligibility for NHSC loan repayment and expanded PT role in community health centers/rural care.
Source Information
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
Physical Therapist Workforce and Patient Access Act of 2025
Data Sources
Sponsor
Cosponsors
(1)Analysis generated by AI. Always verify with official sources.