This bill would strengthen the physical therapy workforce and improve access to care by:

• Adding physical therapists to the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Loan Repayment Program.
• Expanding access to physical therapy services at community health centers in rural and medically underserved areas.

Many communities across the country face significant shortages of health care providers, including rehabilitation professionals. Patients in these areas often have limited access to physical therapy services, forcing them to travel long distances or go without needed care.

The bill would help address this challenge by allowing physical therapists to participate in the NHSC Loan Repayment Program. Through this program, eligible providers can receive up to $50,000 in student loan repayment in exchange for serving in a designated health professional shortage area. While several other health professions are already eligible, physical therapists are currently excluded. Including physical therapists in the program would provide patients in medically underserved areas greater access to rehabilitative care.

The legislation would also make it easier for community health centers to provide physical therapy services. These centers serve many low-income patients, but current rules can make it difficult to employ physical therapists and deliver care efficiently. This bill would give community health centers more flexibility to hire physical therapists and bill Medicare and Medicaid for covered physical therapy services.