Physical Therapist Workforce and Patient Access Act of 2026
Sponsored By: Senator Heinrich, Martin [D-NM]
Introduced
Summary
Expands access to physical therapy. This bill adds physical therapists to the National Health Service Corps loan repayment program, creates a PT-focused targeting framework for shortage areas, provides $15.0 million for PT loan repayments, and makes Medicare cover PT services in Rural Health Clinics and Federally Qualified Health Centers starting January 1, 2027.
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- Patients and families: More communities identified as having physical therapy shortages may get local PT services through targeted NHSC placements and by having PT care reimbursed in RHCs and FQHCs beginning January 1, 2027.
- Physical therapists and trainees: PTs with a master’s or doctoral degree become explicitly eligible for NHSC loan repayment and the bill requires data collection and publication to identify where PTs are most needed.
- Clinics and safety-net providers: RHCs and FQHCs can bill Medicare for PT services furnished by qualified PTs, broadening the list of reimbursable services.
*Provides $15.0 million in supplemental funding for NHSC loan repayments for physical therapists, increasing federal spending for that program.*
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Loan help for physical therapists
If enacted, this bill would add physical therapists to the National Health Service Corps loan repayment program. If you are a physical therapist with a master’s or doctoral degree, you would be eligible for NHSC loan repayment. The bill would also provide an extra $15 million for repayments for physical therapists. HRSA would identify PT shortage target areas inside existing health professional shortage areas and publish comparative data.
Medicare covers clinic physical therapy
If enacted, Medicare would cover physical therapy services furnished by physical therapists at Rural Health Clinics and Federally Qualified Health Centers. This change would apply to services furnished on or after January 1, 2027. If you are a Medicare beneficiary who uses those clinics, you would be able to get physical therapy there. How much you pay would depend on Medicare billing and cost-sharing rules.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Heinrich, Martin [D-NM]
NM • D
Cosponsors
Mike Rounds
SD • R
Sponsored 4/28/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov