APTA Arizona

06/03/2026

Dear Members,
As we reach the midpoint of the year, we look forward to the second half.

At the federal level, APTA is seeking legal avenues to overturn the new DOE rule that excludes physical therapists from a professional designation, thereby significantly limiting the ability to borrow for physical therapy education.

At the state level, HB2250, sponsored by Rep Selina Bliss, intended to reduce prior authorization administrative burden, had died in committee.

Our annual conference is scheduled for November 14th. If you have interesting research you would like to share, keep an eye out for the call for abstracts.

Also, the board would like to hear from you regarding any outstanding issues, such as reimbursement, patient access, or anything else. Just visit our website to leave your feedback.
We are excited to announce that our expanded APTA AZ Leadership & Advocacy Scholarship is now in place. The board had approved up to $30,000 this year to support students’, early professionals', and regular members' engagement in APTA activities and events. For more details, check our website.

Commitment to Inclusivity
Finally, I want to emphasize the importance of standing united against bullying and bigotry in our profession and workplaces. If you haven’t already, please consider ordering a Safe-Space decal to
display at your workplace as a symbol of inclusivity and support. The APTA AZ Office has them in stock for Free and will send one to you.

Save the Dates:
June 5, 2026 - Call for PT/PTA of the Year and Pauline Wampler Awards
July 25 & 26, 2026 - CCIP Level 2
August 15, 2026 - Student Scholarship Applications & Consent to Run Form Due
September 1, 2026 - Awards Nominations due
October 22, 2026 - PT Directors SIG Education Series
November 14, 2026 - 2026 Fall Conference

Thank you for your continued dedication and for being a part of APTA AZ. Together, we continue to make meaningful progress for our profession and the patients we serve.

With appreciation,

Adi Halili, PT, DPT
President, APTA Arizona

06/03/2026

You can register with the link below:
https://www.aptaaz.org/events/EventDetails.aspx?id=2064677

All Districts are welcome to join.

Be sure to check the www.aptaaz.org event calendar for the Zoom link.

05/21/2026

If you would like a Word document of the consent to run. Please email christa@aptaaz.org, and I will send you one.
https://www.aptaaz.org/page/elections

05/20/2026

Fibularis (or peroneal) tendinopathy is an injury to the tendons on the outside of your lower leg. It causes pain on the outside of the ankle and often affects long-distance runners, basketball players, and dancers. Get the facts on treatment.

05/18/2026

05/05/2026

New federal rule will limit student loan access for future PTs

Today, April 30, 2026, the U.S. Department of Education finalized a rule capping federal student loans for Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) programs — and dozens of other health professions — at $20,500/year and $100,000 lifetime.

Programs the Department has classified as "professional" (medicine, dentistry, law, pharmacy, and 7 others) keep access to $50,000/year and $200,000 lifetime. Physical therapy did not make the list.

The average DPT graduate carries $140,000–$170,000 in education debt. The new cap doesn't come close.

What this means for Montana:
✅ Fewer students will be able to afford PT school
✅ Fewer new PTs will be available to serve rural communities like ours
✅ A workforce shortage that's already hard on Montana patients gets harder

What's next:
Litigation against the rule is expected
Three bipartisan bills in Congress would fix this: H.R. 6574, H.R. 6677/S. 4039, and H.R. 6718

📞 Take 2 minutes. Contact Sen. Daines, Sen. Sheehy, and Rep. Zinke (or Rep. Downing) and ask them to support these bills.

👉 APTA Action Center: apta.org/advocacy/take-action/patient-action-center

04/25/2026

Thank you all for the support of the Student Conclave.

04/24/2026