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• Federal Affairs Liaison (FAL) June Call Minutes

  • Friday, July 3, 2026

  Federal advocacy continues to move quickly, with several upcoming opportunities for member engagement and important policy updates affecting the physical therapy profession. Below are key items shared during the latest APTA Federal Affairs Liaison (FAL) call. PTPAC and Grassroots Update August Recess Advocacy Activities: August Recess is a time for important congressional engagement and every state should secure at least one district meeting with a member of Congress. APTA will provide advocacy resources, issue briefs, videos, and talking points similar to those used for APTA Capitol Hill Day. FALs are encouraged to coordinate with Key Contacts, APTA Capitol Hill Day participants, and APTA staff to schedule meetings and strengthen relationships with legislators while they are home in their districts. Please prioritize scheduling August Recess meetings before the next FAL call and to contact APTA staff for assistance with congressional outreach efforts. Priority Federal Advocacy Issues: August Recess participants are encouraged to discuss the impact of changes to federal student loan policies affecting professional degree programs and the potential consequences for PT workforce development and educational access. Discussing the potential 2.5% Medicare payment reduction scheduled for January 1 if Congress does not act is encouraged. Key Contacts should share the impact of payment instability on clinics, providers, and patients. PTPAC Engagement Opportunities: Identify congressional fundraising events occurring in your states during the election season and coordinate with APTA staff regarding attendance on behalf of PTPAC. Congressional Relationship Building: Key Contacts are encouraged to begin educating likely future lawmakers about physical therapy issues early, particularly in districts where the primary election is expected to determine the eventual officeholder. Congressional Update Hill Happenings: Congressional staff reported increasing expectations that Congress will need to pass a continuing resolution (CR) to fund the government beyond the current fiscal year deadline. Senate appropriations work has experienced delays, and lawmakers are already debating the duration and structure of a potential CR amid broader legislative and political disagreements. Provider Reimbursement Stability Act: APTA reported that the Provider Reimbursement Stability Act was unanimously approved by the House Ways and Means Committee. The legislation would address Medicare budget neutrality issues that have contributed to payment cuts and conversion factor instability, improving the likelihood of inclusion in any year-end legislative package. Medicare Payment Reform (MACRA 2.0): Congressional leaders are expected to introduce broader Medicare payment reform legislation in the coming weeks. The proposal would establish annual payment updates based on the Medicare Economic Index (MEI) and advance additional reforms designed to improve payment predictability and stability for providers. Improving Seniors' Timely Access to Care Act: The House Energy and Commerce Committee is expected to advance the Improving Seniors' Timely Access to Care Act, an APTA-endorsed bill addressing prior authorization requirements in Medicare Advantage plans. The legislation would increase transparency and establish guardrails to prevent inappropriate prior authorization practices. SHARE Act Update: The House Education and Workforce Committee unanimously approved the SHARE Act (H.R. 2332). The legislation would require the FBI to process background checks needed for participation in interstate healthcare compacts, helping physical therapists and other providers more easily practice across state lines. Regulatory Update OMB Federal Financial Assistance Proposed Rule: A proposed Office of Management and Budget (OMB) rule would significantly change federal grant administration and oversight. Key provisions include expanded political review of grant awards, increased authority to terminate grants, restrictions on allowable grant expenditures, and limitations affecting research dissemination and accessibility initiatives. APTA will submit comments before the July 13 deadline and is encouraging members to participate through the Patient Action Center and Regulatory Action Center. CMS ACCESS Model: The upcoming launch of the CMS ACCESS (Advancing Chronic Care with Effective Scalable Solutions) model is July 5. The model focuses on technology-supported chronic disease management and allows physical therapists to participate as referring clinicians and co-managers. APTA continues to seek additional guidance regarding implementation and is working to connect with participating PTs to gather insights and share best practices.   The next FAL call will be Wednesday, July 29 at 8:00 p.m. ET.

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• Interested in CCC? Spots are Running Out

  • Thursday, June 25, 2026

  Only a few spots remain for the next APTA Aquatics Clinical Competency Certificate Program (CCC) pool course, taking place July 17–18, 2026, in Wausau, Wisconsin.   The CCC is intentionally limited to a small class size, giving participants more opportunities for individualized feedback, hands-on practice, case-based discussion, and direct interaction with experienced aquatic physical therapy faculty. During the two-day pool course, participants apply concepts from the online modules while building clinical skills and confidence in aquatic physical therapy decision-making.   Whether you're newer to aquatic physical therapy or looking to strengthen your clinical reasoning, the CCC offers a focused learning experience that connects knowledge with practical application in the pool.   With the July course approaching and limited capacity remaining, interested PTs and PTAs are encouraged to register soon.   Can't make it to Wisconsin? The next pool course will be offered October 17–18, 2026, in Mahwah, New Jersey—but act fast. There's only one spot remaining!   Learn More and Register The in-person course may be cancelled if enrollment is low. To support travel and planning, a cancellation decision will be made at least 30 days before the course start date.

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