Bill 118 hr 4829, also known as the Physical Therapist Workforce and Patient Access Act of 2023, aims to address the growing demand for physical therapists in the United States. The bill seeks to increase access to physical therapy services for patients by expanding the workforce of physical therapists and improving their training and education.
One of the key provisions of the bill is the establishment of a grant program to support physical therapy education programs and increase the number of physical therapists entering the workforce. The bill also includes provisions to improve the recruitment and retention of physical therapists in underserved areas, such as rural and low-income communities.
Additionally, the bill seeks to enhance the role of physical therapists in the healthcare system by allowing them to provide certain services without the need for a physician referral. This would help streamline the process for patients seeking physical therapy services and improve access to care.
Overall, the Physical Therapist Workforce and Patient Access Act of 2023 aims to address the growing demand for physical therapy services in the United States by expanding the workforce of physical therapists, improving their training and education, and increasing access to care for patients.