07/29/2025
📣 Tracey, a PTA here at Mountain Valley recently returned from Washington, D.C., where she proudly advocated for the future of physical therapy! Tracey serves as the PTA Delegate for Oregon, represents our state on the APTA House of Delegates, and serves as an alternate PTA representative on the PTAC board.
While in D.C., she met with the offices of Senator Wyden, Senator Merkley, and Representatives Bonamici, Bentz, and Hoyle to push for key legislative priorities.
Here's what their discussions included:
✅ Support for expanding Locum Tenens to include PTs in more rural and underserved areas.
✅ Better access to Pelvic Floor education to address the growing needs in women's health
✅ Inclusion of PTs in the “Welcome to Medicare” wellness visit, especially for fall prevention screening
They also advocated for Medicare repayment reform in which Congress recently added funding to the Medicare Fee Schedule, resulting in a 1.5%-2.0% increase for 2026! (This is a step forward, but temporary and long-term solution is needed to ensure stabiltiy and sustainability for our profession.)
On the state level, Tracey also worked closely with APTA’s Private Practice Section to support House Bill 3824, updating the Oregon State Practice Act to include Dry Needling. This has now passed in both chambers of legislature and is awaiting the Governor’s signature!
