Federal Budget Update

AMTA is closely monitoring several important developments in Washington, D.C., including changes in leadership, new appointments, and budget decisions that may impact the massage therapy community. As of April 10, the House narrowly approved the Senate-amended budget resolution, paving the way for Congress to begin work on a major “Budget Reconciliation” bill.

What Does This Mean?

Congress has agreed on broad budget targets that would:

• Extend the U.S. debt limit through 2027
• Extend the 2017 Trump-era tax cuts, which were set to expire
• Establish a minimum of $1.5 trillion in federal spending cuts

What Happens Next?

House and Senate committees responsible for areas like healthcare spending will now begin drafting specific legislation to meet these budget goals. While the details are still unclear and some policy disagreements remain between the House and Senate, many health-focused organizations are raising concerns. Potential cuts to public health programs, Medicaid, and Medicare could indirectly impact the accessibility and availability of massage therapy services.

NIH Funding Request

As a member of the Ad Hoc Group for Medical Research, AMTA has joined other organizations in calling for a 9% increase in NIH funding for FY 2025. Sustained and increased NIH funding is essential to support research on massage therapy's role in treating health conditions, managing pain, and contributing to non-opioid treatment strategies.

Other News of Interest

Incoming HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz have recently outlined their visions for health policy in separate articles:

• Dr. Mehmet Oz Shares Vision for CMS | CMS
• RFK Jr.: How I'm Slashing Unhealthy Fat at HHS

We will continue to monitor these developments to assess any potential impact on AMTA members and will continue to keep our massage therapy community informed of any changes.