Priorities
Federal policymakers and agencies continue to focus on issues that directly affect DPT programs and students, including:
- Graduate student loan eligibility and affordability
- Cost of attendance considerations, including living expenses
- Workforce pipeline challenges across healthcare professions
- Regulatory and classification decisions impacting professional graduate programs
ACAPT continues to engage with federal legislators and congressional staff to advocate on behalf of academic physical therapy and the future healthcare workforce. Through ongoing meetings and dialogue, we are building and strengthening key relationships on Capitol Hill to ensure policymakers understand the structure, rigor, and public health impact of Doctor of Physical Therapy education.
Establishing and maintaining these relationships is essential to effective advocacy. By serving as a trusted resource and providing timely data, program perspectives, and student experiences, ACAPT helps inform federal decisions that affect student loan policy, workforce development, and patient access to care. These sustained efforts position academic physical therapy to be represented thoughtfully and proactively as federal policy evolves.
Recent Updates
Advocacy In Action Student Modules
ACAPT and the Alliance for Physical Therapy Quality and Innovation (APTQI) are proud to launch Advocacy in Action: Building Your Voice in Physical Therapy, a new three-part video series designed specifically for students at every stage of their journey
From understanding what advocacy really means to taking action in your clinical experiences and ultimately shaping the future of the profession, this series meets you where you are and helps you grow your impact.
Stay tuned for the release in May 2026.
Current Congressional Bills Addressing Professional Designation
ACAPT proudly endorses H.R. 6677, the Professional Degree Access Restoration Act, introduced by Ritchie Torres and H.R. 6718, the Professional Student Degree Act, introduced by Mike Lawler. These bills address federal student loan policy and professional degree designation for health professions education and represent important steps toward ensuring that federal student aid policy reflects the realities of professional healthcare education and supports the future physical therapy workforce.
Other Topics
- The Accreditation, Innovation, and Modernization (AIM) Committee will meet again for the second session on May 18 - 22, 2026. To review the draft regulations, visit the ED website.
- The Accountability in Higher Education and Access Through Demand-Driven Workforce Pell (AHEAD) Committee reached consensus and the Department of Education has released the proposed rule. Public comments can be submitted here.
Advanced Professional Workforce Alliance (APWA) in the news
ACAPT is proud to be part of a powerful national coalition, including APTA, AIA, AOTA, and other leading organizations, working together to address key federal health care issues.
Through this collaboration, ACAPT is helping build a unified voice on Capitol Hill and strengthen relationships with policymakers. We’re energized to represent academic physical therapy and ensure the perspectives of DPT programs and institutions are heard where it matters most.
Resources
Advocacy Toolkit
Student Toolkit (created by APTQI & ACAPT)