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, a quarterly eblast, is dedicated to these government affairs efforts, ensuring members have the latest insight into the work being done to advocate for the profession. Accompanying NATA Beat, NATA Now will provide further highlights each quarter in a quick, easy-to-digest format.
Members are encouraged to visit the Advocacy section of the NATA website for further information, exclusive member-only resources and to get involved.
State Legislation
Boot Camps
NATA recently held legislative boot camps in the following states:
- Connecticut (1.0)
- Vermont (1.0)
- Maine (2.0)
- Massachusetts (2.0)
- Kansas (2.0)
- Arkansas (2.0)
- Tennessee (1.0)
Upcoming boot camps will be held in:
- Iowa
- California
- Missouri
TUFSS
NATA, a sponsor of the Team Up for Sports Safety initiative, also recently participated in TUFFS events in Minnesota and Maine.
General Updates
- 4,800-plus letters sent to legislators to date in 2024 in 26 campaigns
- 122 bills are currently being tracked by NATA, of which 42 have passed (34%)
New Resources Coming Out Soon
NATA works to ensure members have the resources they need to advocate for their profession. Visit the state section of the NATA website for existing resources, and check back for these soon-to-be-released resources:
- 2025 Advocacy Calendar
- State Resources Map (we are updating the regulatory map to include links to state legislature pages)
- New Legislative Session Checklist
Federal Legislation
118th Congress Highlights
- 23,239 bills have been introduced during the 118th Congress
- 13,453 bills in the House and 9,786 bills in the Senate
- 136 bills passed by Congress have become law
- 2,200 health-related bills have been introduced in the 118th Congress
- 1,414 health-related bills have been introduced in the House and 786 in the Senate
- 72 health-related bills have passed either the House or the Senate
- Only four health-related bills have been signed into law
NATA’s Legislative Activity
- NATA is tracking more than 120 bills in the House and Senate.
- NATA has covered more than 60 Congressional hearings and committee markups.
- NATA has endorsed 17 bills in the 118th Congress.
Recent NATA-Endorsed Legislation
Specialist Joey Lenz Act of 2024 (H.R. 10093)
The Specialist Joey Lenz Act of 2024 (H.R. 10093), introduced by Rep. Morgan Luttrell (R-TX-8), aims to enhance the health and well-being of military personnel by expanding the medical tests included in routine health assessments. The bill was named in memory of Specialist Joey Lenz and will address the critical need for comprehensive and preventive health evaluations to support the health and readiness of the U.S. armed forces. The legislation will require the Secretary of Defense to ensure that periodic health assessments provided to members of the armed forces include a sports physical, electrocardiogram and, if necessary, a thyroid stimulating hormone and brain natriuretic peptide tests.
Extreme Weather and Heat Response Modernization Act (H.R. 9024)
The Extreme Weather and Heat Response Modernization Act (H.R. 9024), introduced by Reps. Dina Titus (D-NV-01) and Greg Stanton (D-AZ-04), was introduced in July and passed by the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure in September. The bill directs the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to provide communities with more resources during extreme heat events. The bill requires the FEMA administrator to consider the stockpiling and installing of equipment, such as portable air conditioners, aiding individuals during extreme heat events, providing emergency voucher programs and establishing community cooling centers and resilience centers for consideration for Hazard Mitigation Grants.
In addition, the bill requires the FEMA Administrator to publish guidance on extreme temperature events, issue guidance on extreme heat hazard mitigation and conduct a study measuring the impact of extreme heat on infrastructure, the economy and public health, and recommending a framework for mitigation and response.
Upcoming Legislative Action
During the coming months, NATA's focus will be mostly on the National Defense Authorization Act and ATs in the armed services setting. We will also be looking to introduce the profession to new members of the 119th Congress and solidify relationships with new members of committees of jurisdiction.
Regulation
- In conjunction with the Korey Stringer Institute and Perry Weather, NATA hosted a meeting on the OSHA proposed rules for heat in the occupational setting. NATA President A.J. Duffy III, MS, ATC, PT, and eight NATA athletic trainer members participated in the meeting. The chair of NATA’s COPA Occupational Panel, Kyra Dodson, MBA, MS, ATC, gave a presentation on the AT’s role in this setting. New resources based on the outcomes of the meeting will be coming soon.
- NATA produced an updated fact sheet on the court decision vacating Department of Labor rules updating salary levels to determine eligibility for overtime pay.
- NATA submitted comment letters in response to OSHA on proposed heat regulations in occupational setting.
- NATA joined letter with Better Medicare Alliance on the open enrollment period for Medicare Advantage.
- NATA joined the Coalition for Patient Rehabilitation in a comment letter to CMS in response to the Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2026 Proposed Rule.
Reimbursement
Meetings and Encounters
- From Jan. 1- Nov. 31, 162 meetings and encounters have taken place with state associations, employers, athletic training education programs and payors.
- Since 2018, more than 1,516 meetings and encounters have taken place.
- We are anticipating boot camps in Idaho, Oregon, South Dakota and Tennessee in the next three to six months, at a minimum. Our goal is to deliver a Third Party Reimbursement Boot Camps to all eligible states that have already participated in an NATA Legislative Boot Camp.
- We are pleased to report that after final analysis of the data, our outcomes study using ATs as autonomous billing providers had more than 7,400 unique patients, including 137 Medicare-eligible patients. The data will be used to publish an important descriptive manuscript and payor-cost outcome peer-reviewed manuscript. This data has been in the hands of the academicians since July. The initial manuscript will be submitted to the Journal of Athletic Training by the end of the calendar year.
- Use our resources specific to understanding third party reimbursement available on the NATA Third Party Reimbursement webpage.
NATAPAC
Election Recap
- 100% win rate for second election cycle
- $70,000 total contributions
- 32 Democrats = $34,000
- 35 Republicans = $36,000
2024 NATAPAC Sweepstakes Recap
- $8,175 total raised
- 40 out of 51 states participated
- 135 members purchased tickets
- This year’s winners:
- Ricardo Moreno, MS, ATC, EMT
- Cynthia Rajkovich, MA, LAT, ATC
- Rick Baker, MEd, LAT, ATC
General Updates
- NATA Now recently posted an article highlighting all NATAPAC contributors for 2024.
- This year, 21 individuals made contributions in memory of NATA Past President Chuck Kimmel.
- A donor e-newsletter is coming early December.
Members who are looking for insight into NATA’s international resources and information can visit the International section of the NATA website.
