Physical Therapist Workforce and Patient Access Act of 2025

Bill Number

H.R. 5621

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Health

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-09-30: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Last Updated

2026-06-19T08:06:20Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose of the Legislation This bill aims to improve access to physical therapy services in medically underserved and rural areas by expanding workforce programs and Medicare coverage for physical therapists.

Key Provisions Outlined

• National Health Service Corps Changes: Amends the Public Health Service Act to classify physical therapy as a primary health service and allows physical therapists to participate in the National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program. It also creates "physical therapy health professional target areas" for assigning therapists to high-need locations.
• Funding Increase: Raises the annual funding cap for the National Health Service Corps by $15 million, with a requirement that at least $15 million of the new total be used for physical therapist loan repayments.
• Medicare Expansion: Amends the Social Security Act to add physical therapy services (as defined in existing law) to the list of covered services at Rural Health Clinics and Federally Qualified Health Centers, effective January 1, 2027.

Significant Changes to Existing Law Introduced

• Adds physical therapists to the list of eligible professionals in the National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program, alongside physicians, dentists, and mental health providers.
• Establishes a new category of "physical therapy health professional target areas" similar to existing maternity care target areas.
• Broadens the definition of services at Rural Health Clinics and Federally Qualified Health Centers to explicitly include physical therapy.

Potential Impacts

• Government Agencies: Increases administrative responsibilities for the Department of Health and Human Services in managing loan repayments and designating target areas; requires the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to update payment policies for clinics and health centers starting in 2027.
• Citizens: May improve availability of physical therapy for pain management, rehabilitation after COVID-19, and substance use disorder support in underserved communities.
• International Relations: No direct effects identified.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Physical therapists seeking loan repayment or employment in underserved areas.
• Patients in rural and medically underserved regions.
• Rural Health Clinics and Federally Qualified Health Centers.
• Medicare beneficiaries receiving services at these facilities.
• The Department of Health and Human Services and its sub-agencies responsible for workforce programs and Medicare.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• The bill makes targeted amendments to existing public health and Medicare statutes without altering core program structures.
• It includes a non-interference clause clarifying that participation in this loan repayment program does not bar eligibility for other similar programs.
• No apparent constitutional concerns; the legislation follows standard congressional authority over federal health programs.
• Introduced with bipartisan sponsorship, focusing on healthcare access and workforce development.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. DeGette, Diana [D-CO-1]

Cosponsors (31)

Rep. Griffith, H. Morgan [R-VA-9], Rep. Ross, Deborah K. [D-NC-2], Rep. Doggett, Lloyd [D-TX-37], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Houlahan, Chrissy [D-PA-6], Rep. Harder, Josh [D-CA-9], Rep. Bacon, Don [R-NE-2], Rep. Craig, Angie [D-MN-2], Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9], Rep. Quigley, Mike [D-IL-5], Rep. Carson, André [D-IN-7], Rep. Tonko, Paul [D-NY-20], Rep. Davis, Donald G. [D-NC-1], Rep. Jackson, Jonathan L. [D-IL-1], Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5], Rep. Stanton, Greg [D-AZ-4], Rep. Riley, Josh [D-NY-19], Rep. Balint, Becca [D-VT-At Large], Rep. Ansari, Yassamin [D-AZ-3], Rep. Davids, Sharice [D-KS-3], Rep. Fields, Cleo [D-LA-6], Rep. Pingree, Chellie [D-ME-1], Rep. Sorensen, Eric [D-IL-17], Rep. Grijalva, Adelita S. [D-AZ-7], Rep. McBride, Sarah [D-DE-At Large], Rep. Pocan, Mark [D-WI-2], Rep. Walkinshaw, James R. [D-VA-11], Rep. Dingell, Debbie [D-MI-6], Rep. DelBene, Suzan K. [D-WA-1], Rep. Johnson, Dusty [R-SD-At Large], Rep. Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7]

Recent Actions

• 2025-09-30: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
• 2025-09-30: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
• 2025-09-30: Introduced in House
• 2025-09-30: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Physical Therapist Workforce and Patient Access Act of 2025 — issued 2025-09-30 — PDF (6 pages)