Listening Time — 18:59

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In this episode of the APTA Podcast, Justin Elliott, vice president of government affairs at APTA, and William Boissonnault, PT, DPT, DHSc, FAPTA, discuss APTA’s recent report on direct access to PT services.

Boissonnault, a key contributor to the report, discusses the purpose of the report, its significance in today's physical therapy profession and health care system, and how this evidence can be utilized to promote direct access policies at every level.

Don't miss this informative discussion on the state of direct access and the importance of advocacy in the physical therapy profession.

• Join the APTA Advocacy Network and read all the latest advocacy news.
• From the episode: Read APTA's "State of Direct Access to Physical Therapist Services" report and "The Economic Value of Physical Therapy in the United States" report.
• From the episode: Use resources on APTA's consumer information website, ChoosePT.com, to help educate patients about physical therapy and direct access.

Register for the free APTA Regulatory, Legislative, and Payment Updates Series (2025) for expert insights.

Our Speakers

William Boissonnault, PT, DPT, DHSc, FAPTA, is a professor emeritus at the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Department of Orthopedics and a self-employed clinician and consultant. Boissonnault has multiple publications on primary care, direct access, medical screening, and diagnostic imaging. He serves as co-chair of APTA Wisconsin’s Practice Committee and Leadership Development Committee and is a member of APTA South Carolina’s Legislative Committee.

Justin Elliott is vice president of government affairs at APTA, where he has led the association's legislative, public policy, and political efforts on Capitol Hill since 2015.