Governmental Affairs Committee
The mission of the TATS Governmental Affairs Committee is to insure the growth of the Athletic Training profession through legislative efforts. The committee is dedicated to monitoring legislative efforts that impact the Athletic Training profession. Our role is to be active in the process of influencing public and governmental policy at the State and local levels. The committee will represent TATS and its members in all legislative efforts that affect the practice of Athletic Trainers in the State of Tennessee. Our goal is to promote the professional status of Athletic Trainers, as well as our unique skill set as allied health care professionals, by working in collaboration with federal, state, and local agencies.
-
Update Practice Act -
As the Athletic Training profession has evolved in their educational programs to require entry level athletic trainers to obtain a Masters’ degree, TATS will advocate to update the language of Tennessee Law to reflect this growth
Expand Practice Opportunities -
As educational requirements for Athletic Trainers have increased and the areas of practice expertise have grown, TATS will advocate to grow the scope of practice to expand the practice setting as medical professionals in more diverse environments in Tennessee.
-
Proposed Updates to the Practice Act:
Reflect Advanced Education: Update the practice act to acknowledge the advanced education athletic trainers now receive, transitioning from internships in 1997 to master’s degrees today.
Expand Practice Settings: Broaden the scope of practice settings for athletic trainers, recognizing their role as medical professionals in diverse environments such as industrial workplaces, performing arts, military, and among first responders.
Professional Recognition: Officially recognize athletic trainers as health professionals, acknowledging their expertise and contributions to healthcare.
Scope of Practice: Permit athletic trainers to fully utilize their training and education, enabling them to perform the comprehensive duties for which they are qualified.Description text goes here
-
Join us on March 5th from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM as we head to Capitol Hill to advocate for the profession of athletic training. This year’s event is an important opportunity as we attempt to open the practice act for the first time since 1997 and promote the value of athletic trainers. Engaging with legislators and showcasing the critical role athletic trainers play in healthcare is essential for our profession's advancement. Your participation is crucial as we strive to make a difference. Together, our voices can influence change and ensure that athletic training continues to grow and thrive. Many of the legislatures are from different backgrounds and may have never interacted with an athletic trainer. This is a great time to get to know each out the correct any misconception about the profession.
Tennessee Legislature
