At high schools and colleges across the commonwealth, members of performing arts groups and those with military training have one thing in common.

They are physically active individuals who, as a whole, do not fit into the definition of “physically active person” that defines the patient population that athletic trainers (AT) in the commonwealth are able to treat. ATs are the only health care providers in Pennsylvania who have a defined patient population, i.e. physically active persons—defined as individuals who participate in organized, individual or team sports, athletic games or recreational sports activities. 

Every other health care provider in Pennsylvania is limited by the type of services that they provide concerning an injury or illness—not by the type of activity that an individual participates in.

State Senate Bill (SB) 559 and SB 560 are companion bills that seek to modify the practice acts that athletic trainers work under and expand the definition of “physically active person.”

This modification will not change the scope of practice of ATs as defined under the definition of “athletic training services” within the practice acts. 

How will these bills change the way an AT at a high school or college practices athletic training?

The AT could see patients who are members of the performing arts or who are training for the military, and who would benefit from athletic training services. 

This would include an initial assessment and referral. The AT is often the only health care provider on site in the high school or collegiate setting during certain times. 

How will this help the commonwealth? There is currently a health care provider crisis in PA with an overwhelming number of individuals flooding urgent cares and hospitals. If these bills are passed, an athletic trainer at their high school or college could provide an initial assessment and treatment of these individuals and help facilitate a referral with the correct provider if necessary. This ability could help manage the number of individuals being seen at urgent care and hospital facilities. 

SB 559 and SB 560 are a step in the right direction to one day bring the athletic training profession alongside all other health care providers in PA who treat a patient based on their scope of practice alone.  

Tanya Miller is a nationally board-certified athletic trainer with a license in Pennsylvania. She serves as the government affairs chair for the Pennsylvania Athletic Trainers’ Society (PATS). Miller is also the assistant director of sports medicine at Shippensburg University, Shippensburg, PA.