Why It Matters

The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) filed its second-quarter 2026 lobbying disclosure on July 13, reporting $312,662 in lobbying expenditures as the organization continues advocating on Medicare reimbursement policies, physical therapy access, and workforce issues.

The filing represents a consistent effort by the 100,000-plus member organization to influence federal policy on multiple fronts. APTA's in-house team and external lobbying firms are working on legislation and regulatory issues that could reshape how physical therapists operate within the Medicare system and broader healthcare landscape.

Physical Therapy Reimbursement Policy

APTA is navigating a complex reimbursement environment where Medicare payment policies directly affect practitioners' ability to deliver care. The Multiple Procedure Payment Reduction, a Medicare Part B rule, reduces reimbursement when therapists provide multiple services in a single session. According to APTA, this policy creates financial instability for therapy providers and risks delaying recovery for Medicare beneficiaries.

The association has argued that continued devaluation of physical therapy will discourage participation in Medicare and ultimately drive up costs as beneficiaries turn to higher-cost medical and surgical options.

By the Numbers

APTA reported $312,662 in second-quarter lobbying expenditures, matching its first quarter 2026 spending level.

The organization's filing lists eight registered in-house lobbyists, including CEO Justin Moore, Chief Public Affairs Officer Aaron Bishop, and Vice President of Government Affairs Justin Elliott. Several members of APTA's government affairs team previously held congressional roles, including Brian Allen, who worked on the House Judiciary Committee, and Aaron Bishop, who served on the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee.

The organization also works with Capitol Counsel LLC, which filed its own Q2 disclosure. The external firm's team includes Luke Hatzis, John Martin, Jeff Carroll, and Chad Michaels. APTA has maintained consistent quarterly spending over the past year, ranging from $301,389 to $318,889 in direct filings, with additional expenditures through external lobbying firms.

The Bottom Line

APTA's sustained lobbying effort reflects the stakes for physical therapists in Medicare policy decisions. With reimbursement rules under scrutiny and multiple bills in Congress addressing physical therapy access and workforce issues, the association is maintaining a steady presence on Capitol Hill to protect its members' interests and advocate for patient access to non-pharmacological treatment options.

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