NATA Beat: Fall 2025 Advocacy Updates

September 11, 2025 by Beth Sitzler

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.

In 2025, more than 18,000 emails have been sent to legislators through our grassroots advocacy software, amplifying the voice of athletic trainers across the country. So far this year, we’ve made direct connections with more than 100 legislators to advance our policy priorities. Advocacy remains a cornerstone of our work, and we are committed to ensuring athletic trainers are heard at every level of government. Keep reading to learn more, and check out the September/October NATA News for more advocacy insight.

State Legislation

NATA Exhibits at the NCSL Legislative Summit in Boston

The National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) held the 2025 NCSL Legislative Summit Aug. 4-6 in Boston, bringing together policymakers from across the country. Members of the Athletic Trainers of Massachusetts joined NATA staff in the NATA Government Affairs booth, where they had the opportunity to engage with state legislators, legislative staff, regulators and other key stakeholders. It was a valuable chance to strengthen relationships and advocate for the athletic training profession.

NATA Government Affairs Director Deanna Kuykendall and Athletic Trainers of Massachusetts President Jennifer Concannon, DAT, LAT, ATC, at the 2025 NCSL Legislative Summit.

Missouri Legislative Boot Camp

Recently, the NATA Government Affairs team traveled to St. Louis for an NATA Legislative Boot Camp with the Missouri Athletic Trainers’ Association. Several members of MoATA leadership participated in the all-day strategic planning session. The NATA Government Affairs team will be in Arizona in November for a NATA Legislative Boot Camp with the Arizona Athletic Trainers’ Association. NATA has hosted 38 legislative boot camps across the county.

AT Compact Legislative Summit

NATA President A.J. Duffy III, MS, ATC, PT, District Five Director Rusty McKune, MS, ATC, and NATA Government Affairs staff attended the AT Compact Legislative Summit in Omaha, Nebraska. The invitation-only gathering was hosted by the Council of State Governments, U.S. Department of Defense and Board of Certification for the Athletic Trainer. More than 50 participants attended, including state association leaders as well as state legislators and regulators. NATA Government Affairs Director Deanna Kuykendall participated on the “Compacts Perspectives” panel, alongside Missy Anthony, executive director with the Ohio Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and Athletic Trainers Board; and Nahale Kalfas, a Compact legal consultant. More information about the AT Compact can be found on it’s website.

Kuykendall with District Nine attendees at the AT Compact Legislative Summit.

NATA Friends of Athletic Trainers Legislative Recognition

The NATA Government Affairs team is 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. State associations aren’t limited to the number of submissions. Certificates will be electronically generated and sent to the state association for presentations to recipients.

Federal Legislation

Army H2F Update

Cognito Systems, a contractor for the Army’s H2F program, has shared the following information with us: “We received written confirmation yesterday that the Army has reversed its previous decision and will be retaining athletic trainers under the H2F program. This means the program will no longer end Sept. 18. As a result, Cognito Systems will be keeping all 180 athletic trainer positions and will immediately resume hiring to fill any open roles.” We are encouraged by this policy reversal, but our work is far from over. We will continue our advocacy efforts and keep you posted on any additional developments. You can learn more about how NATA and members worked to keep ATs in H2F in the September/October NATA News.

Listening Sessions Hosted with Students, Secondary, Collegiate and Retired ATs

NATA Government Affairs Department hosted a series of listening sessions to hear directly from members about their public policy concerns and priorities. These conversations provided valuable insight into the challenges facing athletic trainers and the issues that matter most to them. This feedback is helping shape our advocacy efforts to ensure we’re addressing the needs of the profession effectively. The next series of listening sessions will be in late September and will target ATs working in the industrial and performing arts settings.

NATA Submits Request for Formal Recognition by USEF

NATA recently submitted a letter of support to the U.S. Equestrian Federation (USEF), advocating for athletic trainers to be formally recognized within the organization and be added to its designated list of qualified health care providers. Many collegiate equestrian teams and barns already employ athletic trainers, whose contributions have been proven invaluable. Officially recognizing these professionals as health care providers within USEF guidelines will support standardized care practices and elevate the safety standards of the sport.

Beefy the Bulldog greets Kuykendall before her visit with legislative staff.

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 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.
Jordan McNair Student Athlete Heat Fatality Prevention Act (H.R. 4517 /S.2373) would require certain institutions of higher education to develop and implement a venue-specific heat-related illnesses emergency action plan, and for other purposes.

Regulatory

NATA Comments on Physician Fee Schedule

NATA submitted comments to U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on the Calendar Year 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule proposed rule (CMS-1832-P), providing feedback on modernizing Medicare in ways that promote access, reduce opioid reliance and reduce unnecessary regulatory barriers.

NATA Commends DME MACs for Knee Brace Coverage

NATA submitted a letter commending the Durable Medical Equipment Medicare Administrative Contractors for the recent revisions to the Knee Orthoses Local Coverage Determination (L33318). The inclusion of coverage for knee braces (L1843, L1845, L1851, and L1852) for Medicare beneficiaries with osteoarthritis-related pain, stiffness or reduced mobility, regardless of the presence of instability or recent surgery, is a significant and positive step forward. Specifically, this policy change will improve the quality of life for older adults, reduce out-of-pocket costs and potentially save money by delaying or avoiding surgery.

Reimbursement

In 2025, 118 meetings and encounters have taken place with state associations, employers, athletic training education programs and insurers. Since 2018, more than 1,645 meetings and encounters have taken place.

NATA Reimbursement 2025-26 Strategic Priorities

Expansion of state advisory services
Publish, present and distribute peer-reviewed AT billing descriptive manuscript and cost outcome manuscript
Consideration of future leadership and direction of the third party reimbursement initiative
Acceleration of knowledge regarding the CMS recognition process
Expansion of delivery of presentations to athletic training students
Expansion of national payor advocacy strategy development and implementation
Growth of implementation service assistance with employers and payors

NATA Third Party Reimbursement Boot Camps

Third Party Reimbursement Boot Camps were conducted with South Dakota June 9, New York (first half) July 7 and Colorado July 21. NATA is currently in discussions with Oregon regarding a fall date. New Jersey, North Carolina and Tennessee are also considering timing and options. All states are now eligible for a Third Party Reimbursement Boot Camp, which can take place in person or virtually. Boot camp content includes:

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

NATA Third Party Reimbursement Resources

Third party reimbursement resources are available on the NATA Third Party Reimbursement webpage.

Manuscript “Athletic Trainers as Outpatient Rehabilitation Providers: An Analysis of Role, Value, and Insurance Reimbursement in a Large Academic Health Care System” has been accepted for publication this fall in the Journal of Athletic Training.
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%)
  - 65-plus years old: 137 (1.8%)
- 7,789 unique patients and episodes of care
A secondary 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 this fall and is in development with academicians at the University of Wisconsin and University of North Carolina.

NATAPAC

Chuck Kimmel Memorial NATAPAC Luncheon

The 2025 Chuck Kimmel Memorial NATAPAC Luncheon took place June 26 during the 76th NATA Clinical Symposia & AT Expo in Orlando, and was attended by more than 180 NATA members. NATAPAC Olympian level and recurring contributors were acknowledged and applauded for their support of the NATAPAC, with Olympian level contributors being presented with an enamel “119th Congress” Olympian pin for their high level of commitment. The luncheon raised more than $11,500 for the NATAPAC.

The luncheon keynote address was given by Mark Coberley, MS LAT, ATC, NATA Hall of Fame member and past District Five director. He offered reflections on leadership, advocacy and the power of consistent, intentional action. Speaking to a room of emerging and established leaders, he delivered a compelling message built not on personal accolades, but on decades of observation and lived experience.

“I always have found my batteries recharged after this event,” he said, reflecting on the NATAPAC event’s significance and legacy.

Coberley centered his message around five key observations of what makes someone an impactful difference-maker – a term he used throughout the address to describe those who elevate the profession through their actions and leadership. They included: