Bill > HR5621

This bill aims to improve access to physical therapy services and support for physical therapists by making several key changes to existing healthcare laws. First, it expands the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Loan Repayment Program to include physical therapists, allowing them to qualify for loan forgiveness when working in underserved areas. The bill also creates a specific program to identify and assign physical therapists to target areas with high need. Additionally, the legislation increases funding for the NHSC program by $15 million specifically dedicated to physical therapist loan repayments. Furthermore, the bill amends Medicare regulations to expand Rural Health Clinic and Federally Qualified Health Center services to explicitly include physical therapy services, which will take effect in January 2027. The bill recognizes the critical role physical therapists play in addressing various healthcare challenges, including pain management, substance use disorder treatment, and rehabilitation for patients with chronic conditions resulting from COVID-19, ultimately aiming to improve patient access to physical therapy services in medically underserved areas.

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https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/5621/all-info