At ATI, our leaders remain committed to the causes that impact our industry and the current and future professionals at the heart of it. Recently, Chief Clinical and Strategy Officer Chuck Thigpen, PhD, PT, ATC, spoke out against the January 29, 2026, proposed rule by the U.S. Department of Education to reclassify physical and occupational therapy as a “graduate degree program” for federal student loan purposes. He urged others to advocate for the future of the physical therapy and occupational therapy professions.

Understanding the Potential Impact

At a time when the profession is already facing nationwide workforce clinician shortages, Thigpen encouraged the ATI organization and his professional network to speak out to protect the future of rehab for our patients and ourselves as providers. Ramifications of this reclassification include:

• It would make becoming a PT or OT more expensive and less accessible for future clinicians.
• Fewer students entering PT or OT programs worsens staffing shortages and reduces access to care.
• A smaller workforce limits our ability to expand services, grow professionally, and advocate for better reimbursement.
• Protecting professional degree status helps ensure a strong, sustainable pipeline of clinicians.

Join the Movement

The APTA is actively advocating against this proposal, and Congress has also begun pushing back through H.R. 6718 and H.R. 6574, which would preserve physical therapy’s designation as a “professional degree program.” ATI and its leaders strongly support these efforts through our national engagement with APTA and APTQI. Protecting access to PT education is essential to sustaining our clinician workforce, strengthening patient access to care, and ensuring the long-term health of our profession.

While advocacy efforts from the APTA and APTQI are central to success, collective action from practicing clinicians can have a strong impact on protecting our profession and patients. We encourage you to take a few minutes to make your voice heard by sending a message to your congressional representative: Make Your Voice Heard.