Advocacy in Action: How TNOTA Protects and Advances Occupational Therapy
By Cindy Blackwell, OTD, OTR/L
Arguably the most important and impactful benefit to TNOTA membership is one that impacts every occupational therapy practitioner and student in our state: advocacy. Often operating behind-the-scenes, TNOTA has a dedicated volunteer Advocacy Committee who work hand-in-hand with our lobbyist team here in Tennessee, as well as AOTA’s state affairs staffers. Through these partnerships, TNOTA is able to build relationships with lawmakers, track bills and policies that impact occupational therapy, and take action to protect our profession and support changes that benefit OT.
Federal-level advocacy: Stronger Together.
Working with the lobbyists and staff at AOTA, TNOTA’s legislative chair stays informed on federal laws and policies that shape our profession, including changes to Medicare reimbursement, rules surrounding access to OT services, and how OTs and OTAs are classified under the law and, therefore, what benefits and protections we are eligible to receive. TNOTA volunteers bring forth issues identified by our membership, collaborating with the well-established lobbyists in Nashville and policy team at AOTA, to make members’ voices heard and represent Tennessee on the national stage.
In addition, TNOTA leadership meets with other state OT association leadership to learn from their advocacy victories and setbacks so that we may better navigate the current healthcare policy landscape. We share our advocacy accomplishments with OT leaders in other states, including our success in codifying telehealth in our state practice act, adding dry needling to our scope, recognizing occupational therapy as an effective non-pharmacological intervention for pain management, recognizing OT’s role in mental health support and suicide prevention, and passing the bill to make Tennessee part of the OT interstate compact.
State-level advocacy: Our impact across Tennessee
In addition to our federal action, TNOTA closely tracks state laws and policies that influence our practice. In the 2026 legislative session, our lobbyists at Capitol & 5th Public Strategies tracked and reported on over 125 bills on behalf of TNOTA, largely within the categories of healthcare, education, disability and aging, Tenncare, government organization, and professional licensure. During this legislative session, we followed bills related to Medicaid reimbursement rates, mandated coverage related to certain medical and mental health conditions (dementia, brain injury, substance use), programs for paid family caregiver support, and the regulation of AI in the healthcare space.
TNOTA successfully advocated for the licensing board of occupational therapy to remain independent, avoiding it being administratively consolidated with other health related licensing boards, preserving the autonomy and recognition of our professional scope and expertise.
TNOTA advocates also made voices heard with regard to patient and practitioner safety, fighting against a bill that would limit healthcare providers’ ability to ask patients about firearm ownership. Thanks to the work of occupational therapy practitioners and other concerned healthcare providers, this bill was defeated.
Beyond legislation, TNOTA also keeps an ear to the ground for opportunities to advocate for our place in public programs and policy. With the federal Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) granting funds to Tennessee for rural health care improvement, occupational therapy advocates have an opportunity to educate policymakers on the value and return on investment that OT brings to rural communities. TNOTA members met with policymakers to advise them on occupational therapy’s role in improving health outcomes and call for occupational therapy to be included in program planning for these funds.
Member-driven advocacy: Relationships that matter
The political landscape is complex and ever-changing. Because TNOTA is a non-partisan organization, we network across political parties to build awareness of who we are and the benefit we bring to our communities as OT practitioners. Our lobbyists and advocacy team work to build relationships with lawmakers who are “friendly” to occupational therapy and will help us champion the causes that are important to our members.
Events like February’s Hill Day, in partnership with the Tennessee Disability Coalition, allow TNOTA members to meet face-to-face with state senators and representatives. Hill Day advocates were able to deliver their “OT elevator pitch,” share talking points about key legislation, and make personal connections between lawmakers and the world of occupational therapy. OTs, OTAs, and students had the opportunity to meet with other disability and healthcare advocates to build a strong coalition that will ultimately benefit OT consumers across our state. At Hill Day and beyond, TNOTA is tirelessly working to increase the visibility of occupational therapy and make our advocacy impact stronger every day.
Above all, the most valued relationships we can build are with our members. Our advocacy efforts are truly driven by the OTs, OTAs, and students who make up TNOTA’s membership. Though each and every practitioner benefits from our advocacy efforts across the state, our members uniquely shape the organization’s priorities. Protecting and championing our profession is critical, now more than ever. If you’ve ever wished for change in our profession, we invite you to step into advocacy and make your voice heard by maintaining membership in TNOTA and connecting with the TNOTA Advocacy Committee at advocacy@tnota.org.