Help Underserved Areas through Student Loan Repayment Legislation
Please urge Your U.S. Representative to Co-Sponsor:
The Physical Therapist Student Loan Repayment Eligibility Act (H.R. 1426), and
The Frontline Health Care Act (H.R. 531)
Recently, Congress has introduced two separate pieces of legislation related to federal student loan repayment for physical therapists practicing in underserved areas.
U.S.Representatives Jo Ann Emerson (R-MO) and Mike Ross (D-AR), introduced legislation to enable physical therapists to participate in the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Loan Repayment Program, the Physical Therapist Student Loan Repayment Eligibility Act (H.R. 1426).
U.S. Representative Bruce Braley (D-IA) introduced legislation to create a new “Frontline” providers loan repayment program, the Access to Frontline Health care Act (H.R. 531), a program similar to the NHSC Loan Repayment Program.
APTA needs you to assist in building support for student loan repayment for physical therapists that choose to practice in rural and urban underserved areas. At this time there is not a Senate version of these bills - so focus your efforts on your U.S. Representative.
SUMMARY OF THE LEGISLATION (H.R. 1426)
- 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
SUMMARY OF THE LEGISLATION (H.R. 531)
- Create a new Frontline Providers Loan Repayment Program:
- Process is similar to the NHSC – a provider signs a commitment to practice in an area for at least two years in exchange for student loan repayment
- The Secretary determines the amount of loan repayment
- Individuals will take priority who have training in interdisciplinary studies
- The provider pledges to practice in a “Frontline Scarcity Area,” Which can either be:
- A Health Profession Shortage Area (HPSA); or
- An area designated by the State as having a shortage of “frontline care services”
- Frontline Care Services means a service in the following field, and performed by someone with the appropriate education:
- General surgery, chiropractic, optometry, ophthalmology, physical therapy, audiology, speech language pathology, pharmacy, public health, podiatric medicine, dietetics, occupational therapy, general pediatrics, respiratory therapy, medical technology, or radiologic technology.
What Can You Do?
Contact your U.S. Representative and request that he or she cosponsor H.R. 1426 and H.R. 531 today!
- Send an email letter through APTA’s Legislative Action Center.
- Plan to attend APTA’s PT Day on Capitol Hill June 8-9. 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 H.R. 1426 and H.R. 531.
Student Loan Repayment Legislation please contact Melissa Manzione at melissamanzione@apta.org.
