Why It Matters
The American Occupational Therapy Association Inc. is lobbying for passage of S.1101 and H.R.2332, the States Handling Access to Reciprocity for Employment (SHARE) Act of 2025, which would authorize the Federal Bureau of Investigation to share criminal history records with state licensing authorities for background checks required by interstate compacts, the formal agreements that allow licensed professionals to practice across state lines. Both bills remain in committee with no floor action recorded.
By the Numbers
The filing names the American Occupational Therapy Association Inc. as its client and lists lobbying on Budget/Appropriations, Education, and Health Issues. The McManus Group filed a separate third-quarter 2026 report for the same client at $40,000. The American Occupational Therapy Association Inc. reported combined lobbying spending of $229,000 in each quarter from 2025 Q2 through 2026 Q3, and its lobbying expense for the past four quarters totals $916,000.
The in-house filing names five lobbyists:
- Heather Parsons, vice president, federal affairs; former deputy chief of staff/legislative director for Rep. Brad Miller (D-NC-13).
- Tyler Adams, manager, federal advocacy; former legislative assistant to Rep. Mike Thompson (D-CA-4).
- Andy Bopp, senior legislative representative.
- Abe Saffer, senior legislative representative; former scheduler for Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX-18).
- Ryan Yeager, legislative representative; former district intern for Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon (D-PA-5).
Broader Context
SHARE Act
The SHARE Act was introduced in both chambers on March 25, 2025. Sen. Peter Welch (D-VT) sponsors S.1101; Rep. Tracey Mann (R-KS-1) sponsors H.R.2332, referred to the House Committees on Education and Workforce and on the Judiciary. Sens. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and Angus King (I-ME) joined as Senate cosponsors at introduction. The association's chief executive officer (CEO), Katie Jordan, said the bill "will allow practitioners to bring their expertise where it is needed most."
Medicare payments and research funding
More than 40 health care organizations back the bill, including the American Medical Association, the American Physical Therapy Association, the National Council of State Boards of Nursing Inc., and the Federation of State Medical Boards. The Medicare Patient Access and Practice Stabilization Act of 2025, sponsored by Rep. Gregory F. Murphy (R-NC-3), would reverse a 2.83% Medicare physician payment cut and provide a 2% increase for services through Jan. 1; it drew 198 cosponsors and a letter from 80 health care organizations urging passage, but no committee action has been recorded since its Jan. 31, 2025, referral.
The filing lists continued funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR). The Disability and Rehabilitation Research Coalition, which includes the association, cited a $90 million budget for the National Center for Medical Rehabilitation Research and a $119 million annual budget for NIDILRR in urging Congress to protect both. NIH is operating under a continuing resolution through Dec. 11.
The filing also lists support for the Department of Education's continued role administering the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), without citing a specific bill.
Competitive Landscape
Organizations associated with H.R.2332 include the National Council of State Boards of Nursing Inc., the Federation of State Medical Boards, Trinity Health (Michigan), the Alliance for Connected Care, and the American Academy of Physician Associates Inc.
The Bottom Line
The House version of the SHARE Act is in committee, and the Senate version was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary and awaits action. The NIH continuing resolution expires Dec. 11, the next near-term funding decision point. The in-house team added one lobbyist while total spending across both registrants has held flat.
Access the Legis1 platform for comprehensive political news, data, and insights
Spot something wrong? Report an issue with this article
