As this statement highlights, the DPT program is an integral part of the APTA's continued advocacy for legislation granting consumers ("i.e." patients and clients) direct access to physical therapists, rather than requiring physician referral. Direct access is said to decrease wait times for access to care and even help reduce both cost to consumer and overall healthcare costs. As of January 1, 2015, all 50 states and the District of Columbia currently allow some form of direct access to physical therapists.