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.
NATA Beat includes a quarterly eblast dedicated to these government affairs efforts, ensuring members have the latest insight into the work being done to advocate for the profession. Accompanying the eblast, NATA Now will provide further highlights each quarter in a quick, easy-to-digest format.
You can also follow @MyNATABeat on X (formerly Twitter), which provides real-time updates on advocacy efforts that matter to the athletic training profession.
If you’re going to be at the 76th NATA Clinical Symposia & AT Expo June 24-27 in Orlando, stop by the NATA Hub and meet your NATA Government Affair team. We would love to talk with you about our initiatives and learn how we can help you. The NATA Government Affairs Committee with be hosting a town hall at 10:15 a.m. June 26 during NATA 2025. Attend and visit with your GAC district representatives about all-things government affairs.
State Legislation
State Legislative Wins
- Alabama – HB 288: Alabama Commission on Higher Education; authorized to award loan assistance to athletic trainers under Alabama Math and Science Teacher Education Program. Learn more about HB 288.
- Status: Signed into law by the governor
- Arkansas – HB 1213: To amend the Arkansas Athletic Trainers Act; To clarify the definition of “athlete”; and to define “healthcare provider” regarding student athlete concussion education. Learn more HB 1213.
- Status: Signed into law by the governor
- Kansas – HB 175: Updating the definition of athletic trainer and providing exemptions for those licensed in another state, District of Columbia, territory or foreign country to practice in Kansas. Learn more HB 175.
- Status: Signed into law by the governor
- Tennessee – HB 62/SB 224: Athletic Trainers As enacted, authorizes athletic trainers to use dry needling to carry out the practice of prevention, recognition, evaluation, management, disposition, treatment or rehabilitation of athletic injuries; requires the board of athletic trainers to establish minimum competency requirements for an athletic trainer to demonstrate in order to practice dry needling. Learn more HB 62/SB 224.
- Status: Signed into law by the governor
Stay tuned for more state win updates.
Legislative Boot Camps
Recently, the NATA Government Affairs team traveled to Albuquerque, New Mexico, for an NATA Legislative Boot Camp with the New Mexico Athletic Trainers’ Association. Ten members of NMATA leadership participated in the two-day strategic planning event. The NATA Government Affairs team will be in Missouri in mid-June for an NATA Legislative Boot Camp 2.0 with the Missouri Athletic Trainers' Association. So far, NATA has hosted 37 legislative boot camps across the county.
NATA Friends of Athletic Trainers Legislative Recognition
The NATA Government Affairs team is now accepting nominations for the 2025 Friends of Athletic Trainers legislative recognition. State associations can nominate state legislators or regulators by submitting the recipient’s name and brief explanation for the recognition to NATA Government Affairs Associate Nick Tolfree at nickt@nata.org. State associations are not limited to the number of submissions. Certificates will be electronically generated and sent to the state association for presentations to the recipients.
Athletic Trainer Compact Update
Work on creating an Athletic Trainer Compact is ongoing. For the most up-to-date information on where it is in the process and to access the draft model language for review, visit the National Center for Interstate Compacts website.
Federal Legislation
2025 NATA Leadership Fly-In
Durning National Athletic Training Month, NATA hosted its Washington, D.C., Leadership Fly-In, bringing together 30 participants from the NATA Board of Directors, NATA Government Affairs Committee and NATA Political Action Committee Board of Directors to advocate for the athletic training profession. As part of the two-day event, NATAPAC major donors were treated to a private, after-hours tour of the U.S. Capitol – an exclusive opportunity recognizing their ongoing support. Fly-in attendees successfully connected with more than 100 congressional offices through meetings and literature drop-offs, raising awareness of the profession and highlighting our legislative priorities.
Details about the NATA Hit the Hill 2026 will be released in the fall.
119th Congress At-A-Glance
The House of Representatives recently passed “The One Big Beautiful Bill,” extending President Trump’s 2017 tax cuts. The bill also includes certain campaign promises related to no tax on tips and overtime. The opponents remain concerned with proposed cuts to federal program and employee benefits. The bill now heads to the Senate for consideration. The Senate is expected to amend the House version before sending any agreement to the president for his signature.
The House and Senate are also beginning the federal appropriations process for fiscal year 2026. With the president’s full budget submission delayed, we expect the House and Senate will need to adopt a continuing resolution keeping the government open past Sept. 30.
The House and Senate Armed Services Committee is working toward drafting the annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for fiscal year 2026. This legislation annually reauthorizes all U.S. Department of Defense programs.
For Congress, “The One Big Beautiful Bill,” appropriations and NDAA are the top priorities for the remainder of calendar year 2025. Don’t hesitate to contact the NATA legislative team should you need additional information.
Holistic Health and Fitness Program (H2F) Update
The NATA legislative team and ATs across the country have been actively advocating to reverse the Pentagon’s decision to eliminate athletic trainers from the H2F program. Over the past four weeks, more than 16,000 emails have been sent to members of Congress. In addition, NATA presented members of Congress with a petition signed by more than 3,300 athletic trainers. As we continue our efforts, we ask that all NATA members take any opportunity to reach out to their elected officials. We are working now to schedule additional meetings and will continue outreach until the Pentagon reverses their decision and reinstates athletic trainers.
ATs Join NATA Government Affairs Staff to Lobby Congress
In recent weeks, several athletic trainers living in and near the Washington, D.C., area have joined NATA government affairs staff for meetings on Capitol Hill. Additionally, several ATs have met with their elected officials in the district. Working together, we are seeing significant movement on our initiatives. If you would like to meet with your elected officials and need assistance scheduling a meeting, reach out to NATA Senior Manager of Government Affairs Deanna Kuykendall at deannak@nata.org.
NATA Currently Endorsed Federal Legislation
- Freedom To Invest in Tomorrow’s Workforce Act (H.R. 1151) would expand eligible uses of 529 savings plans to cover costs associated with workforce training and credentialing programs, such as professional certifications. The legislation provides tax-advantaged resources for workers who pursue career growth, mid-career changes or alternative career pathways.
- Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Reauthorization Act (H.R. 929 / S. 266) will help ensure that hospitals, health systems and other health care organizations can continue, expand and build on the successes seen. The original Lorna Breen Act was signed into law in March 2022, and is named in honor of Dr. Lorna Breen, an emergency physician who died by suicide. This reauthorization legislation will enable health care organizations to address system-level risk factors that lead to occupational burnout, contribute to mental health conditions and cause intensive stress and strain.
- Personal Health Investment Today (PHIT) Act (H.R. 2369 /S. 1144) would add fitness as an eligible category for pre-tax Flexible Spending Account and Health Savings Account dollars. The PHIT Act (S. 1144) could help Americans overcome financial barriers to fitness opportunities.
- Specials Joey Lenz Act (HR 1014) would direct the Secretary of Defense to include certain tests as part of the periodic health assessments provided to members of the Armed Forces.
Regulatory
NATA Meets With Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response Leadership
NATA President A.J. Duffy III, MS, ATC, PT, along with NATA Government Affairs Committee District Three Rep. Ed Strapp , LAT, ATC, and the NATA Government Affairs team, recently met with leadership from the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response, a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, to discuss the vital role athletic trainers can play in response to natural disasters. The meeting was productive and highlighted shared goals and opportunities for collaboration. Both groups expressed interest in continuing the conversation and exploring ways to work together in the future to enhance emergency preparedness and response efforts across the country.
Heat Injury and Illness Prevention in Outdoor, Indoor Work Settings Proposed Rule
In August 2024, OSHA published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for Heat Injury and Illness Prevention in Outdoor and Indoor Work Settings. The proposed standard would apply to all employers conducting outdoor and indoor work in all general industry, construction, maritime and agriculture sectors where OSHA has jurisdiction. In December 2024, NATA submitted a formal comment. A virtual informal public hearing is scheduled for June 16.
Reimbursement
In 2025, 79 meetings and encounters have taken place with state associations, employers, athletic training education programs and payors. Since 2018, more than 1,608 meetings and encounters have taken place.
NATA Third Party Reimbursement Boot Camps
Upcoming Third Party Reimbursement Boot Camps are scheduled with South Dakota (June 9, in person) and New York (July 7, virtual). NATA is currently confirming a July date with Colorado and a September date with North Carolina. Oregon and Tennessee are also considering the opportunity. All states are now eligible for a Third Party Reimbursement Boot Camp. These may take place either in person or virtually.
NATA Third Party Reimbursement Boot Camp Content Overview
- The NATA Third Party Reimbursement Initiative
- The State Association and Reimbursement: Optimizing your Practice Act, Support Structure and Resources
- Best Practices in Payor Communication and Advocacy: Establishing Athletic Training Reimbursement for Medically Necessary Care
- Implementing Effective, Compliant & Reimbursable Athletic Training Services
- Optimizing Your Documentation for Reimbursement
TPRI Upcoming Presentations
- NATA board meeting presentation: June 23
- State Leadership Forum: 3 p.m. June 24
- Free Communications Abstract Presentation: 10 a.m. June 25 – “Athletic Trainers as Outpatient Rehabilitation Providers: An Analysis of Role, Value and Insurance Reimbursement in a Large Academic Health Care System,” by Chelsea Martin
NATA Third Party Reimbursement Resources
- Manuscript “Athletic Trainers as Outpatient Rehabilitation Providers: An Analysis of Role, Value, and Insurance Reimbursement in a Large Academic Health Care System has been submitted for publication in the Journal of Athletic Training”
- A related manuscript is being developed that will evaluate cost outcomes of athletic trainers functioning as billable autonomous providers in an outpatient rehabilitation setting. This manuscript will be submitted to a health care administration journal that is yet to be determined. It likely will be submitted in July.
- NATA is pleased to report that after final analysis of the data, our outcomes study using ATs as autonomous billing providers in an outpatient rehabilitation setting has the following high level characteristics:
- 15 years of data from academic medicine setting
- Patient age demographics
- 40 to 64 years old: 3,428 (44.0%)
- 65-plus years old: 137 (1.8%)
- 7,789 unique patients and episodes of care
- Third party reimbursement resources are available on the NATA Third Party Reimbursement webpage.
NATAPAC
Chuck Kimmel Memorial NATAPAC Luncheon
Don’t miss the Chuck Kimmel Memorial NATAPAC Lunch, NATAPAC’s premier event and biggest annual fundraiser, from noon to 1:30 p.m. June 26 during the 76th NATA Clinical Symposia & AT Expo in Orlando. This year’s keynote speaker is NATA Hall of Fame member and former District Five Director Mark Coberley, MS, LAT, ATC. Tickets are now available and can be purchased with (or added to) your convention registration. Tickets are limited to 200 so get yours before they sell out.
If you would like more information about NATAPAC or would like to make a contribution, contact NATA Senior Government Affairs Coordinator Madison Sequenzia at madisons@nata.org.
