117 S2676 IS: Physical Therapist Workforce and Patient Access Act of 2021 U.S. Senate 2021-08-09 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

II117th CONGRESS1st SessionS. 2676IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESAugust 9, 2021Mr. Tester (for himself and Mr. Wicker) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and PensionsA BILLTo amend the Public Health Service Act to provide for the participation of physical therapists in the National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title; findings

(a)

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Physical Therapist Workforce and Patient Access Act of 2021.(b)

Findings

Congress finds as follows:(1)Physical therapists play an important role in the prevention, treatment, or management of pain for individuals, including those with substance use disorders, or at risk of developing a substance use disorder.(2)Physical therapists are also playing an important role in the physical rehabilitation needs of individuals who have developed chronic health conditions as a result of COVID–19.

2.

National Health Service Corps; participation of physical therapists in loan repayment program

(a)

Mission of corps; definition of primary health services

Section 331(a)(3)(D) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 254d(a)(3)(D)) is amended by striking or mental health, and inserting mental health, or physical therapy,.(b)

Loan repayment program

Section 338B of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 254l–1) is amended—(1)in subsection (a)(1), by inserting physical therapists, after dentists,;(2)in subsection (b)(1)—(A)in subparagraph (A)—(i)by striking , or be certified and inserting ; be certified; and(ii)by inserting before the semicolon the following: ; or have a doctoral or master's degree in physical therapy;(B)in subparagraph (B), by inserting physical therapy, after mental health,; and(C)in subparagraph (C)(ii), by inserting physical therapy, after dentistry,; and(3)by adding at the end the following:(i)

Eligibility To participate in other programs

Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit any health care professional who is eligible to participate in the program under this section from participating in any other loan repayment program established by the Secretary for which such professional is eligible..