Why It Matters

The American Physical Therapy Association is pushing a legislative agenda to ensure coverage for an aging population facing unprecedented demand for rehabilitation services. With Americans 65 and older projected to grow from 61 million to 95 million by 2060, Congress is grappling with post-acute care shortages that directly impact senior outcomes.

The APTA’s current lobbying push targets four specific legislative solutions: expanding the physical therapy workforce in rural areas, enabling therapists to serve as falls prevention specialists, allowing practice continuity through temporary staffing, and integrating physical therapy into postpartum care. APTA student members recently sent over 8,500 letters to Congress on falls prevention alone, reflecting coordinated grassroots mobilization alongside professional lobbying.

By the Numbers

The American Physical Therapy Association reported $301,389 in lobbying expenditures for the fourth quarter, continuing a long-standing federal advocacy presence. APTA has filed 271 disclosures since 2003 with total spending exceeding $30.4 million.

The organization employs a dual strategy. In-house operations account for 88 disclosures totaling $26.4 million since 2003. External partners include Federal Group Inc. with 77 disclosures generating $2.2 million since 2003, and Capitol Counsel LLC contributing 51 disclosures for $1.69 million since 2013.

This represents steady-state advocacy spending rather than a strategic shift. APTA remains actively engaged on the Physical Therapist Workforce and Patient Access Act, Prevent Interruptions in Physical Therapy Act, and SAFE Act—all with bipartisan support.

The Agenda

APTA is pursuing four key legislative priorities in the 119th Congress: the Physical Therapist Workforce and Patient Access Act to expand Medicare coverage in underserved areas; the Prevent Interruptions in Physical Therapy Act to allow temporary staffing arrangements; the Stopping Addiction and Falls for the Elderly Act to integrate therapists into senior preventive care; and the Optimizing Postpartum Outcomes Act to expand pelvic health services.

These efforts reflect APTA’s core advocacy themes since 2003: Medicare reimbursement improvements, healthcare access expansion, workforce development, and research funding. Recent congressional activity demonstrates strong bipartisan interest, with members like Rep. Lloyd Smucker (R-PA) and Rep. Carol Miller (R-WV) actively engaging on physical therapy priorities.

Broader Context

Recent House hearings on post-acute care access and Medicare service delivery have highlighted policy gaps where physical therapy solutions could play expanded roles. Members from both parties are actively meeting with APTA representatives on Medicare payment reform and regulatory burden reduction, signaling bipartisan receptiveness.

Between The Lines

Multiple House committees are examining issues central to APTA’s agenda. The Ways and Means Committee held a hearing on post-acute care access addressing staffing and reimbursement challenges. Energy and Commerce examined Medicare access bills discussing care delivery barriers.

Cross-party engagement is notable. Republicans Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, Rep. Scott Perry, and Rep. Beth Van Duyne met with APTA members on Medicare reform. Democrats Rep. Susie Lee and Rep. Darren Soto also engaged with physical therapists on key issues.

Competitive Landscape

APTA operates within a coordinated advocacy ecosystem. The Alliance for Physical Therapy Quality and Innovation has actively lobbied throughout 2025, targeting the SAFE Act. The APTA Private Practice Section conducts targeted lobbying for small practice owners. Confluent Health emerged as a new lobbying voice in 2025.

This aligned advocacy creates a unified force for legislative change across payment reform, practice sustainability, and patient access issues.

The Bottom Line

APTA’s $301,389 fourth quarter spending continues two decades of sustained advocacy. The organization’s efforts align with multiple active bipartisan bills addressing workforce development, practice continuity, and patient access. While the profession faces ongoing reimbursement and workforce challenges, the current legislative environment presents opportunities for advancing key priorities through coordinated advocacy.

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