Newswise — DALLAS, TX – More than 89 members of the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) representing 31 states will meet with members of Congress on Wednesday, April 3, 2019, for the organization’s annual Capitol Hill Day. The event is an effort to educate members of Congress about the athletic training profession and to ask for support on the Personal Health Investment Today (PHIT) Act (S 680, H.R. 1679) and for language changes to the National Defense Authorization Act.

  • National Defense Authorization Act – NATA is requesting Members of Congress call for language that supports the athletic training profession to be included in this year’s National Defense Authorization Act, specifically directing the Secretary of Defense to revise Section 199.6(c) of title 32, Code of Federal Regulations by adding athletic trainers as authorized providers under the TRICARE program. 
  • PHIT ACT- NATA is requesting legislators to support the PHIT Act (S 680, H.R. 1679). The PHIT Act will benefit all Americans and will help families overcome potential financial barriers related to active lifestyles. PHIT will enable Americans to use their pre-tax medical accounts to help pay for physical activity expenses, such as youth and adult sports league fees, youth camps, exercise classes, etc.

Athletic trainers are health care professionals that prevent, diagnose, treat and rehabilitate injuries for active people in many industries, including sports, military and clinical practice. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of athletic trainers is projected to grow 23 percent from 2016 to 2026, which is significantly faster than the average for all occupations. Reasons for this include people becoming more aware of sports-related injuries and an active aging population that may need additional support. For more information on athletic training, visit www.nata.org.

About NATA: National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) – Health Care for Life & Sport

Athletic trainers are health care professionals who specialize in the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of injuries and sport-related illnesses. They prevent and treat chronic musculoskeletal injuries from sports, physical and occupational activity, and provide immediate care for acute injuries. Athletic trainers offer a continuum of care that is unparalleled in health care. The National Athletic Trainers' Association represents and supports 45,000 members of the athletic training profession. For more information, visit www.nata.org.

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