Physical Therapist Workforce and Patient Access Act of 2026

Key Points

• The bill adds physical therapists to the National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program, letting them get federal help paying off student loans in exchange for working in communities that lack enough healthcare providers.
• The bill provides $15 million in dedicated funding for physical therapist loan repayments through the National Health Service Corps, giving the program real money to attract therapists to underserved areas.
• Medicare would begin covering physical therapy services at Rural Health Clinics and Federally Qualified Health Centers starting January 1, 2027, making it easier for seniors in rural and underserved communities to access care.
• The government would be required to identify "physical therapy health professional target areas" within existing shortage areas, using new data on where the biggest gaps in physical therapy access exist.
• Eligible participants must hold a doctoral or master's degree in physical therapy. The bill also requires the government to seek input from medical societies and provider organizations when identifying shortage areas.