NATA Beat: Winter 2026 Advocacy Updates

January 21, 2026 by Beth Sitzler

Every day, NATA is working on behalf of the athletic training profession. With staff members experienced in all aspects of the legislative and regulatory 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.  

 

State Legislation

Recognizing Friends of Athletic Trainers

The NATA Friends of Athletic Trainers recognizes state legislators, regulators, staff and key stakeholders who go above and beyond to support athletic trainers in their state. The 2025 recipients were highlighted on p. 11 of the Annual Report section of the November/December 2025 NATA News. 

 

NATA Attends TUFSS Meetings 

In the fall of 2025, NATA attended Team Up For Sports Safety meetings in Alaska, Oregon and Wisconsin. NATA is a sponsor of the TUFSS initiative.

 

NATA Hosts Legislative Boot Camp in Arizona

In November 2025, the Arizona Athletic Trainers’ Association participated in an NATA Legislative Boot Camp. Prior to the boot camp, visiting NATA staff had the opportunity to shadow several Arizona athletic trainers during a high school football playoff game. 

 

 

State Association Highlights

  • In September 2025, members of the Kentucky Athletic Trainers’ Society Executive Board visited legislators at the state capital to advocate for student loan reimbursement. 
  • The Tennessee Athletic Trainers’ Associated presented Rep. Tim Hicks with Friends of AT recognition during football halftime in November 2025. 
  • California Athletic Trainers’ Association members teamed up with Sen. Akilah Weber-Pierson for her annual Thanksgiving Meal Giveaway & Health Fair in November 2025.

 

States Introduce AT Compact Bills

At the time of publishing, the following AT Compact bills have been introduced:

 

Federal Legislation

119th Congress At a Glance

  • 12,388 bills have been introduced during the 119th Congress.
  • 8,122 bills in the House and 4,266 bills in the Senate.
  • 68 bills passed by Congress have become law.
  • 1,344 health-related bills have been introduced.
  • 878 health-related bills have been introduced in the House and 466 in the Senate.

 

NATA’s Legislative Activity

  • 88 legislative meetings discussing AT workforce issues and athlete safety.
  • Actively tracking more than 75 federal bills in the House and Senate.
  • NATA has covered more than 25 Congressional hearings and committee markups.

Visit the Legislative Alert Center to help us advocate. 

 

Mark Your Calendar

NATA Beat ChATs

Join us for NATA Beat ChATs, a new interactive conversation series focused on what’s happening right now in government affairs and what it means for athletic trainers. Register for each meeting you plan to attend. Seating is limited to 300 attendees. Held on the fourth Thursday of each month from January through March, these informal, one-hour discussions will break down key policy updates, advocacy efforts and legislative trends impacting the profession at the local, state and federal levels. We’ll translate the headlines, share where NATA is actively engaged and talk through how ATs can stay informed and involved. Whether you’re deeply invested in advocacy or just want a clearer understanding of how government decisions affect your day-to-day practice, NATA Beat ChATs are designed to keep you connected, confident and in the know. Come ready to listen, ask questions and be part of the conversation shaping the future of athletic training.

  • 6 p.m. CST Jan. 22
  • 6 p.m. CST Feb. 26 
  • 6 p.m. CST March 26 

 

Policy Summit and Capitol Hill Day 

  • March 30-31, Washington, D.C.
  • Registration opens Feb. 2 

 

NATA-Endorsed Legislation in the 119th Congress

  • 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) would 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 (H.R. 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.
  • The Dennis John Benigno Traumatic Brain Injury Program Reauthorization Act of 2025 (S. 2898) is bipartisan legislation that reauthorizers critical funding to support patients and families impacted by traumatic brain injuries (TBI). The bill extends funding for programs directly aligned with these goals. These programs include national surveillance and registry efforts necessary for data collection and state grants that promote community integration and patient autonomy. In addition, NATA joined with 31 other organizations in supporting a Coalition to Preserve Rehabilitation letter in support of the legislation.
  • Public Safety Officer Concussion and Traumatic Brain Injury Health Act of 2025 (H.R. 2830) would require the Centers for Disease Control to expand its work on TBI by requiring the collection of data on concussions sustained by public safety officers
  • Promoting Physical Activity for Americans Act (S. 2303/H.R. 6121) would direct the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to prepare and promote periodic physical activity recommendations for Americans.

 

NATA Advocacy Snapshots 

  • In September 2025, NATA Director of Government Affairs Deanna Kuykendall was joined by NATA Hall of Fame member Tanya Dargusch, LAT, ATC, in Washington, D.C. After the duo hit the hill, they toured the athletic training facility of NATA Hall of Fame member and D.C. athletic trainer Jennifer Rheeling, MS, LAT, ATC. 
  • Longtime athletic trainer Col. Brian McGuire MS, ATC, also joined Kuykendall for a visit to Washington, D.C. in November 2025.
  • Igor greets NATA staff to Rep. Jim Himes’ office while sporting his festive holiday sweater. #DogsOfCongress
  • In December 2025, Kuykendall and NATA Executive Director Mollie Pillman, MS, MBA, CAE, participated in a private demo conducted by the Meta Wearables Policy Team in its Washington, D.C., office. We look forward to ongoing collaboration with the tech company. 

 

NATA Attends Physical Activity Alliance Annual Symposium

In September 2025, Kuykendall attended the 2026 Move With US Physical Activity Symposium in Alexandria, Virginia. The symposium was held by the Physical Activity Alliance. Kuykendall participated in a panel discussion on lobbying that also included Brian William of American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine, Monte Ward of American College of Sports Medicine and Mike Goscinski of Health & Fitness Association. All four panelists also represent their organizations on the alliance’s board of directors. 

 

Regulatory

Federal Student Loan Changes: What ATs Need To Know

During a December 2025 town hall, NATA leaders and partners outlined what is known, what is still evolving and how athletic trainers and educators can engage as new federal parameters around student loans take shape. The discussion, led by NATA President A.J. Duffy III, MS, ATC, PT, and Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education President Toni Torres-McGehee, PhD, SCAT, ATC, focused on proposed changes being considered by the U.S. Department of Education’s RISE Committee. NATA then published a post on NATA Now that further outlined what ATs need to know and how to get involved. 

 

Use NATA's Regulatory Resources

NATA is actively engaging with legislators, federal agencies and health care coalitions and organizations to raise the profile of the athletic training profession and promote the recognition of athletic trainers in major federal government-related programs. Learn more about our regulatory efforts and key developments affecting the athletic training profession in the Regulatory section of the NATA website.

 

Reimbursement

NATA offers resources to ATs help demonstrate their value and worth through revenue models, improve their understanding of the business of athletic training or get assistance in seeking reimbursement for athletic training services. Visit the Revenue & Reimbursement section of the NATA website for more information. 

 

NATAPAC

NATAPAC 2025 in Review

  • Total raised: $68,642
  • Number of contributing members: 913
  • Number of first-time contributors: 97
  • Percentage of overall membership who gives to the PAC: 2.7%

 

NATAPAC District Events

The NATA Political Action Committee Advisory Board is hard at work planning district-meeting NATAPAC events. Be on the lookout for information and/or registration for the event happening at your district meeting. If you have any questions about NATAPAC or your district’s event, reach out to your NATAPAC Advisory Board director.

 

NATAPAC Contributions Committee

The NATAPAC Contributions Committee has approved $82,500 in campaign contributions so far for the 2025-26 election cycle, with $12,500 of that already given. 

 

NATAPAC at NATA Policy Summit and Capitol Hill Day

NATAPAC will hold an event the evening of March 30. Make plans to join us as we have our first full NATAPAC fundraising event at NATA Policy Summit and Capitol Hill Day since 2019. Planning and details are still being finalized. Information will be forthcoming with NATA Policy Summit and Capitol Hill Day registration.

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