Every day, NATA and the NATA Government Affairs Department are working on behalf of the athletic training profession. With staff members experienced in all aspects of the legislative process, the NATA Government Affairs Department is the sole department focused on advocacy for the profession. NATA’s goal is to ensure that all ATs can work to the fullest extent of their education and skill set. These bipartisan efforts consist of five key areas: state legislation, federal legislation, regulatory, reimbursement and NATAPAC.
Starting in March, NATA is sending a new quarterly eblast, NATA Beat, dedicated to these government affairs efforts, ensuring members have the latest insight into the work being done to advocate for the profession. Accompanying NATA Beat, NATA Now will provide further highlights each quarter in a quick, easy-to-digest format.
Members are encouraged to visit the Advocacy section of the NATA website for further information, exclusive member-only resources and to get involved. For further insight into NATA’s advocacy projects and accomplishments, read the October 2023 NATA News.
State Legislation
- 2023 highlights:
- 5,800 emails sent to legislators via our software provided to states as a member benefit
- 26 advocacy campaigns conducted by the NATA Government Affairs Department
- 64 recipients of the Friends of Athletic Training recognition
- Licensure in South Carolina and New York
- Resource highlights:
- Advocacy Calendar: The advocacy calendar offers suggestions and tips on what can be done to advocate for the profession at a grassroots level each month. Reach out to the NATA Government Affairs Department for more information.
- NATA Legislative Boot Camps 1.0 & 2.0: Hosted by the NATA Governments Affairs Department, NATA Legislative Boot Camps help state leaders with their legislative needs. Learn more in this video outlining the benefits of the boot camps.
- NATA Legislative Alert Center: Visit the NATA Legislative Alert Center to contact your state and federal legislators on issues important to the athletic training profession.
Federal Legislation
- 118th Congress highlights:
- 14,500-plus bills have been introduced during the 118th Congress
- 8,900-plus bills in the House and 5,500-plus bills in the Senate
- NATA is actively tracking more than 78 different House and Senate bills
- NATA has endorsed more than 11 bills in the 118th Congress
- 14,500-plus bills have been introduced during the 118th Congress
- In January, Congress returns for the 118th Congress’ second session.
- Federal appropriations remains the top priority with most members focused on avoiding any government shutdown.
- A short-term continuing resolution was signed into law Jan. 18 that extended funding for HUD through March 1.
- Republicans and Democrats are making border enforcement another top issue.
- President Joe Biden remains focused on funding for the Ukraine and Israel conflicts.
- National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) legislation will be drafted during the second quarter.
- NDAA remains one of NATA’s top priorities to recognize athletic trainers as health care professionals within the Department of Defense.
- Fiscal Year 25 federal appropriations will begin toward the end of March.
- Real interest by both House and Senate to consider name, image and likeness legislation.
- The legislative clock is ticking down in this presidential election year.The time frame is short for President Biden to accomplish his priorities and Congress to enact legislation before the hectic campaign season starts.
Regulatory
- 2023 highlights:
- 5 comment letters submitted
- 13 coalition letters sent with groups including Better Medicare Alliance, Physical Activity Alliance, Coalition for Preserving Rehabilitation and Friends of AHRQ
- NATA recently joined the Tomorrow’s Workforce Coalition, which advocates for beneficial workforce development policy that would strengthen the economy now and into the future.
- NATA is proactively advocating to OSHA on behalf of the athletic training profession.
Reimbursement
- 2023 highlights:
- Third Party Reimbursement Boot Camps held in Florida and South Carolina
- 220 meetings and encounters took place with state associations, employers, athletic training education programs and payors
- Since 2018, more than 1,350 meetings and encounters have taken place
- Observed and facilitated meaningful new developments in Michigan, Virginia, Florida, South Carolina, Wisconsin and Illinois
- NATA has initiated the legal process to secure the data use and data sharing agreements needed for the production of a descriptive and payor-cost outcome peer-reviewed manuscript.
- Coming soon! NATA has initiated planning for the creation of a national Third Party Reimbursement communication network, hosted in Gather.
- Since the program’s inception, NATA has hosted 1,365 engagements with stakeholders and confirmed more than 275 payors.
NATAPAC
- NATAPAC remains active heading into the election season.
- Last election cycle, NATAPAC had a 100% win record.
- NATAPAC funds allow the PAC to support and build relationships with athletic training advocates in both the U.S. House and Senate.
- It is important for us to work toward electing more members of Congress who understand and support the athletic training profession. PACs are the legal way we can combine our finances to be more impactful in building those relationships.
- Members should consider contributing to NATAPAC.
- Member are encouraged to share their input with the NATAPAC Board of Directors.
Members who are looking for insight into NATA’s international resources and information can visit the International section of the NATA website.
