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Support your national association & become an AOTA member today! Protect Access To Financial Aid When Congress passed H.R. 1, more commonly known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, it made major changes to federal financial aid for higher education. It eliminated the Grad PLUS Program, leaving only the Direct Unsubsidized Loan Program as the only financial aid option available to most graduate level occupational therapy (OT) students. The Direct Unsubsidized Loans are capped at $20,500 per year up to a lifetime cap of $100,000 for graduate students, but for those in programs deemed to be “professional,” the caps are $50,000 per year or a lifetime limit of $200,000. The Department of Education is working to update the federal student loan regulations, including which professions will be included in the professional degree category. After the first meeting of the negotiated rule making committee, OT, PT and SLP therapy are not listed as a professional degree which could cause serious long-term damage to the future workforce. We urge you to contact your Members of Congress to request they do all they can to make sure the Department of Education follows their intent and includes professions like OT, PT & SLP therapy are on that list.Thank you for standing up for the next generation of OT professionals. Your advocacy truly makes a difference! Contact your Members of Congress Today! More Information:
Medicare telehealth waivers have expired. What occupational therapy practitioners need to know As of October 1, Medicare waivers that allowed occupational therapy services via telehealth have expired. WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: OT Telehealth services will not be reimbursed by Medicare unless Congress reinstates these waivers. We expect this to happen when an agreement is reached to fund the federal government. Read the full article for more information about Medicare telehealth during this lapse in coverage. AOTA will monitor developments and share updates. Stay tuned & find more here!
Another reduction in force at the Department of Education: What it means for OTPs AOTA is closely monitoring the situation at the Department of Education in the wake of the second reduction in force to occur this year. If these staffing cuts go forward, they would impact key offices responsible for administering early intervention and K–12 general and special education programs. WHY IT MATTERS: While funding remains in place for the current fiscal year, we’re concerned about long-term program effectiveness without adequate staffing. Historically, both the House and Senate have shown congressional support for IDEA and Title I. AOTA continues working with partners and congressional champions to monitor the situation and address the changes at ED. We’ve joined a broad coalition of over 400 organizations to urge Congress to take action. Take action today! Write to your members of Congress and ask them to ensure early intervention and K-12 programs at ED remain fully functional. Learn more & act now!
The following information is being shared on behalf of AOTA: On July 3rd, the House of Representatives passed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, sending it to the President to be signed into law. Provisions in this bill are wide-ranging and cover a range of topics, including energy policy, tax policy, immigration, and healthcare. This article focuses on the provisions with the most direct impact on occupational therapy professionals, occupational therapy students, and our clients. AOTA is currently planning to hold a live webinar about the bill, our advocacy efforts, and next steps, later in July. Please continue to check the AOTA events page for the latest updates. Now that the One Big Beautiful Bill Act has passed, subsequent significant actions will occur at the state level, as states determine how to respond to reduced federal funding and healthcare systems decide how to provide services to the newly uninsured. We will work closely with state associations to help minimize the impact on access to occupational therapy services at both the state and local levels. We will also continue to advocate for policies at the federal level that help to expand access to OT and other healthcare services and have access to financial aid for higher education. Click here to read the full article and learn in more detail the potential impacts on the occupational therapy profession.
AOTA – Education and 504 Update as of March 20th: " On March 20, 2025, the President signed an executive order directing the closure of the Department of Education (ED), a move that could significantly affect federal education programs, including the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). While dismantling ED would require congressional action, the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) continues to support the Department and its vital functions, particularly in education settings where many occupational therapy practitioners work. AOTA remains committed to advocating for the continuation of ED's critical services and resources and urges practitioners to engage with policymakers to ensure students and professionals continue to receive essential support." Read full article here.
AOTA’s policy team invites you to a timely discussion on the potential impact of recent actions by the federal government on school-based occupational therapy. With shifts in federal oversight and funding, a panel of experts will provide key insights and emphasize why state-level advocacy is more important than ever. These shifts may impact school-based occupational therapy service delivery, professional responsibilities, and policy priorities. This in-person event provides practitioners and students with an opportunity to engage with the panelists, ask questions, and discuss how they can take action to support their profession and the students they serve. Update as of March 12 - read update here! 504: A federal lawsuit filed late last year by 17 states sought to have Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 declared unconstitutional. Thanks to extensive advocacy efforts by AOTA and state OT associations, Section 504 is officially safe! Learn more about the advocacy efforts that saved this bedrock civil rights law for people with disabilities. Learn more here!
- Behavioral health - Healthcare reform - Medicaid advocacy - Medicaid Part B advocacy - OTA payment advocacy - Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact - Post-acute care payment advocacy - Private insurance advocacy - Schools and early intervention - Scope of practice - Teleheatlh - Workforce diversity |
ABOUT OTACOTAC is the Occupational Therapy Association of Colorado. It is a non-profit organization that strives to increase the quality of care and level of professionalism to the practice of OT in Colorado. The Occupational Therapy Association is committed to ensuring digital accessibility for all users. We are actively working to improve the user experience and comply with accessibility standards. If you encounter any issues or need assistance, please email us. We strive to address all concerns promptly. Have a feedback or need more help? Email: info@otacco.org |
