Happy April Fools Day

...but there is no fooling around when it comes to PT legislation. I have brought some of this up before but this is all worth bringing up again:

With regard to HR1134, I think any legislation being passed that acknowledges the PT profession as a primary health care service is a vital step towards VISION 2020. This specific bill is a great continuation of the multiple efforts of our profession to reach out to the underserved. In addition, student debt is an overwhelming aspect to becoming a PT and has been cited as a barrier of many potential candidates entering the profession. Short of academic institutions lowering their tuitions, this bill is a vital component in helping to relieve this problem.

With the introduction of HR 748/S. 450 and HR 1552/S. 93 into Congress as well, students really do need to take a more active role in advocating for their profession, and in turn, for their future patients. Having all three bills pass in congress would be a great accomplishment for the advancement of Physical Therapy. If we as future clinicians can assume ownership of professional responsibility and realize the magnitude of this, the progression of physical therapy will be in very capable hands for decades to come. The APTA's Legislative Action Center and PTeam have been great tools in easing many students involvement in the legislative process.

Addendum:
HR 1134 is the Physical Therapist Student Loan Repayment Eligibility Act. This will add PT's to the current list of National Health Service Corps (NHSC) professions. Pretty much what it would provide is an opportunity for PT's who work in underserved areas (as defined by NHSC) to earn $25,000 towards paying off their loans per year. You have to sign a two year contract and can elect to work for a 3rd or 4th year in which you can earn a total of ($35,000 for both the 3rd and 4th year). This is all in addition to the salary you work out with the employer in the underserved area.

Get this stuff passed now, make everything easier later... contact your reps... it's so easy and so vital... alright I am done.