Support Student Loan Repayment for Physical Therapists (HR 1134)

Urge Your U.S. Representative to Co-Sponsor the Physical Therapist Student Loan Repayment Eligibility Act (HR 1134)

On Friday, February 16th, U.S. Representatives Marion Berry (D-AR) and Jo Ann Emerson (R-MO) introduced legislation to enable physical therapists to participate in the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Loan Repayment Program. 32 bipartisan Members of Congress joined Representatives Berry and Emerson in introducing HR 1134, the Physical Therapist Student Loan Repayment Eligibility Act.

APTA needs you to assist in building support for student loan repayment for physical therapists who choose to practice in underserved areas. At this time there is not a Senate version of the legislation - so focus your efforts on your Representative.

SUMMARY OF THE LEGISLATION (HR 1134)

• The bill adds physical therapy to the definition of the National Health Service Corps' primary health services by amending Section 331(a)(3)(D) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 254d(a)(3)(D).
• The bill adds physical therapists to the National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program to the list of eligible providers by amending Section 338B of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 254l-1)
• The bill adds the following to the Loan Repayment Program's eligibility requirements by amending Section 338B of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 254l-1).
  • receipt of a doctoral or master's degree in physical therapy;
  • enrollment in a physical therapy graduate training program; and
  • enrollment as a full-time student in a course of a study or program leading to a degree in physical therapy

TALKING POINTS

• The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) strongly supports HR 1134 to enable physical therapists to participate in the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Loan Repayment Program. This initiative will encourage physical therapists to practice in rural and urban underserved communities by helping to address the rising student loan debt load of physical therapists that might otherwise not be able to afford to practice in those areas.
  
• The National Health Service Corps addresses the health needs of 4 million underserved individuals across the nation. As with the health professionals serving within the Corps today, physical therapists are committed to improving the health of the Nation's underserved communities. HR 1134 will ensure that physical therapists are part of the National Health Service Corps' comprehensive team-based approach to health care services delivery.
  
• Demand for the services of physical therapists continues to grow across the country. Including physical therapists in the NHSC Loan Repayment Program will help to ensure that underserved communities have adequate access to important physical therapy services.
  
• As of 2005, the average total costs of tuition and fees for a physical therapy student attending an in-state public, out-of-state public, or private institution were $26,000, $50,000, and $64,000, per year respectively. Rural and urban underserved communities often have difficulty recruiting needed health professionals such as physical therapists, due in part to the significant student loan debt load many health care professionals carry when leaving school.
  
• The maximum loan repayment through the NHSC Loan Repayment Program during the required initial two-year contract period is currently $25,000 each year. These payments can help address the student loan debt load of physical therapists and may enable the physical therapist to decide to practice long-term in these communities once NHSC service is complete.

What Can You Do?

Contact your U.S. Representative and request that he or she cosponsor HR 1134!

• Call your Representative's office. When connected to the office, ask to speak with the health care legislative assistant.
  
• Send an email letter through APTA's Legislative Action Center or access more information on the issue at the PT Education Resource Center (www.apta.org/advocacy).
  
• Attend APTA's Advocacy Day and PT Day on Capitol Hill May 22-24. This is the premier legislative conference at APTA and a great chance to build your skills as an advocate, network with PT leaders, and directly lobby Congress on HR 1134. The PT Day on Capitol Hill also offers the best opportunity to meet directly with your Representative, Senators, or their staff and to request co-sponsorship of HR 1134.

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