ACAPT's Advocacy Committee keeps an ear to the ground about legislative or policy issues that may affect our member institutions.  Please contact your committee liaison to let us know what may be happening in your state that we need to monitor for national impact.

Below are recent advocacy efforts:

1. ACAPT is joining the Federation of Associations of Schools of the Health Professions (FASHP) on a joint statement voicing opposition to the legislation sweeping the country limiting instruction of and training for issues surrounding DEI efforts. 
   
   ACAPT encourages institutional and individual members to keep the following in mind during these discussions:
   
   
   • We are teaching future healthcare professionals that they must learn to put the patient first and the needs of those patients to improve health outcomes.
   • Education needs to focus on all Social Determinants of Health to be patient-centered care.
   • Recognizing our own values/biases/backgrounds helps us learn how to respond to others from different and various backgrounds to achieve optimal health outcomes.
   • The best patient outcomes, the safety of patients, and the health of society are best accomplished when healthcare providers understand the individual patient’s needs.
   • Social determinants of health include the person’s background, places of work, living, worship, education, and culture, including language, religion, food, dress, holidays, celebrations, family makeup, etc.
     
     
2. Federal State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT) changes to the January 2024 National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE).
   
   Besides the changes proposed to the content based on the recent clinical scan, the exam will include videos. There are PT/PTA practice exams that include a video question. The students can take these exams to see how this works.
   
   
3. Statement on ensuring academic freedom & DEI support
   
   
4. The U.S. Department of Education issued guidance redefining the definition of Third-Party Services within education.  In response, ACAPT joined the American Council on Education (ACE) and over 80 other organizations in a letter to the Department of Education outlining the full range of problems and harmful consequences should the Department proceed as currently outlined.
   
   Read more about the Department of Education's response.